What Was Invented First Socks or Shoes

Boise, Idaho

December 29, 2015 3:57pm CST

My grandson asked me the other day who do you think invented socks? We laughed about it an it was forgotten. So, today he asked about it again and what I found was rather interesting. Thought I would share it. It seems that animal skins were wrapped around the foot and legs early on. Then Ancient Greeks in 8th century wore socks made from matted animal hair. For warmth of course. Ugh! I don't know if I would like some mangy animal fur on my feet. Your thoughts.

26 responses

• Walnut Creek, California

30 Dec 15

Mangy animal hair on my feet (wool socks) make me itchy sometimes. I'll stick with mangy cotton plants.

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

Me too!

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

I can't wear wool. Makes me itch.

• Malaysia

3 Jan 16

@celticeagle So you also can't wear sweater or any clothes made by wool? I don't know some are allergic to wool, I never use them here as it's just too hot here.

• Boise, Idaho

3 Jan 16

• United States

30 Dec 15

I love socks, always have. No matter how much weight I gain I still wear the same size socks!

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

I can't wear some of them cause my ankles are too big now.

• Canada

30 Dec 15

• El Segundo, California

30 Dec 15

This is an excerpt from a website... "Way back in the cavemen days, we used animal skins gathered around the ankle and tied for socks, sometimes animal furs to keep us extra warm. In early medieval times, those who wore socks were considered of the noble classes. Socks were woven or sewn by hand. And in the 16th century with the invention of the knitting machine, tighter woven socks were made. They were often made of wool for the general population and silk or cotton for the upper classes. It wasn't until the early 20th century that nylon socks were introduced."

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

Interesting Thanks for sharing.

• El Segundo, California

30 Dec 15

@celticeagle Your welcome. Actualy, I'm interested with matters like this one. Trivia!

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

• United States

30 Dec 15

I never knew how socks were invented either. Thanks for sharing!

• El Paso, Texas

19 Aug 19

It is an interesting tidbit.

• United States

19 Aug 19

• Garden Grove, California

29 Dec 15

ugh glad we do not have to wear animal hair wow

• Canada

29 Dec 15

If you wear wool you are wearing animal hair.

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

Well, there is angora and such.

• Newton, North Carolina

29 Dec 15

I had never thought of the origin of socks before! I love that I live now with today's socks rather than yesteryear! I just love new and freshly washed socks!

• Boise, Idaho

29 Dec 15

Me too! I love the fresh smell and how the fit so nice. I have several that are men's socks for winter time around the house. And, I got some new softies for Christmas!

• United States

29 Dec 15

I"m thankful to whomever invented socks....I love socks!!

• Boise, Idaho

29 Dec 15

I mind them cosy in the winter.

• Centralia, Missouri

1 Jan 16

lol, if your feet were cold and that's what people did I bet you would, without even thinking twice

• Boise, Idaho

2 Jan 16

If I trimmed it myself and knew it was absent any vermon or bugs.

• Centralia, Missouri

2 Jan 16

@celticeagle lol I bet back then people didn't really even think about bugs, the thought makes me itchy to be honest, I cannot imagine a time with no real shampoo, deodorant, and showers.

• Boise, Idaho

6 Jan 16

@Jessicalynnt ...itchy big time here. We had bed bugs this last summer and am I every paranoid. Even typing about bugs and i get itchy.

• United States

29 Dec 15

Wow that is interesting never thought about it. Great your grandson did tho. I love the photo haha..whatever tribe we come from surely did not wear footwear...we all hate socks and shoes lolz

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

I like socks in the winter but nothing in summer.

• United States

30 Dec 15

• Boise, Idaho

9 Jan 16

• Inverness, Florida

30 Dec 15

@celticeagle that was such a good question that your grandson asked. I love the answer, history is so interesting. I am with you, I think I would have rather had cold feel than matted animal hair wrapped around them.

• El Paso, Texas

19 Aug 19

I think when it comes to cold feet it doesn't matter what it is as long as my feet are warm.

• Boise, Idaho

19 Aug 19

• United States

9 Jan 16

I guess it was better then having frozen feet

• El Paso, Texas

19 Aug 19

• United Kingdom

30 Dec 15

I know some people who you would think have skunk fur socks on when they remove their shoes!

• El Paso, Texas

19 Aug 19

I heard that skunk fur is soft and warm

• France

30 Dec 15

In 2500 BC Otzi was using straw to insulate his shoes in the Alps. The straw was maintained by an animal skin : not socks, but not far.

• Boise, Idaho

9 Jan 16

Amazing how much they could withstand.

• United States

30 Dec 15

I am not sure but I think the Grind invented socks!

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

Grind? Should I know him?

• New Zealand

30 Dec 15

I'd rather have mangy fur than cold feet. When my feet are suffering, the whole of my body suffers too.

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

Whatever works for you at that point, huh?

• Canada

30 Dec 15

very interesting, I would have thought a colder climate would have invented socks though

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

• Canada

29 Dec 15

The Greek angle seems interesting, even if it is disgusting.

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

Disgusting that the Greek's wore socks?

• United Kingdom

29 Dec 15

Better mangy animal fur than frostbite

• United States

29 Dec 15

I think that the survival instinct will over ride the desire to not want to wear natted animal fur but yeah the idea seems gross and primitive good thing we have socks now and thank who ever though of it.

• Boise, Idaho

30 Dec 15

What Was Invented First Socks or Shoes

Source: https://www.mylot.com/post/2877755/socks-who-invented-them