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Birkenstock - 200 years of confort
In the small German village of Langenberg, Johann Adam Birkenstock is registered as 'subject and shoemaker' in the church archives.
1896 Johann's grandson, Konrad Birkenstock who owns two specialist footwear stores in Frankfurt is starting to produce contoured insoles.
1902 Konrad Birkenstock develops the first flexible arch support to be used in factory made shoes.
1913 Carl Birkenstock, Konrad's eldest son joins the company
1925 Konrad Birkenstock JR. joins the company. Birkenstock® arch supports are now being exported to Austria, France, Denmark, Czechoslovakia, Italy, Luxembourg, Belgium, Norway, Holland, , Sweden and Switzerland.
1932 Birkenstock® training seminars are held in many European countries. Leading medical specialists support the Birkenstock system
1947 'Birkenstock's Podiatry' is published. It became the most widely read and published book on foot- health of its time.
1964 Carl Birkenstock's son Karl uses his father's innovations to develop the first Birkenstock® sandal.
1973 The Arizona, Birkenstock's classic two-strap sandal is introduced.
1982 The first thong styles are launched.
1985
The first Birkenstock® shoes go on sale.
1990 Tatami®,a new line by Birkenstock® is launched.
1991 Papillio®, Birkenstock's seasonal range goes on sale.
1992
Birkenstock® launches the first hand stitched comfort shoes.
1994 Christian Birkenstock founds Betula® a new brand of affordable, alternative sandals and footbed shapes.
1995 Birkenstock's hand stitched shoes are now marketed as Footprints®.
2002 Birkenstock® celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Boston clog.
2003 The Arizona, Birkenstock's famous two-strap sandal is celebrating its 30 -year anniversary.
2004 In England, Birkenstock receives the Draper's award as "Footwear Brand of the Year" in acknowledgement of Birkenstock products' timeless design making them suitable for every age group, any occasion and all types of people.
2005 The Birkenstock store in Covent Garden is named BEST NEW STORE at the Drapers Footwear Awards 2005.
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