Hello phab-ga (fab name!),
The numbering system began with the British in the Middle Ages, who
began to measure shoe size in one-barleycorn (1/3 inch) increments,
with a size zero being a baby's foot (4 inches). In America, based on
mostly on a sales ploy and partly on a baby's smaller foot, sizes
began one-and-half-sizes larger, minus 1/12 inch. (American women's
shoes were marked one-and-half-sizes up from that.) Meanwhile, the
French used the Paris Point system of 2/3 centimeter increments. The
rest of continental Europe eventually followed the French. The
increments of 1/3 inch and 2/3 centimeter, respectively, are still
used today.
The strange history is recounted on these pages:
"The History of Shoes: Shoe Making: Shoe Size Systems", by Cameron
Kippen
Curtin University of Technology: Department of Podiatry
http://podiatry.curtin.edu.au/shoo.html#celt
"History of Sizes"
Sizefinder
http://www.sizefinder.com/where_did_sizes_come_from.htm
"The Mathematics and Science to Knowing Your Product", by Rachel
Badanowski and Talbert Allen (April 22, 2002) [page 7]
Oakland Schools
http://www.oakland.k12.mi.us/resources/cfe/educator/business/2001-2002/B43.pdf
I hope that this information is helpful.
- justaskscott-ga
Search terms used on Google:
"history of shoe sizes"
"shoe sizes" barleycorns "paris point" |
