Author: Nadeem Bajwa
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Global Footwear Production Rebounds
According to the World Footwear Yearbook 2025, published by APICCAPS (the Portuguese Footwear Association), global footwear production experienced a strong recovery in 2024. Output rose by 6.9% to 23.9 billion pairs, offsetting the 1.5 billion pairs lost in 2023. This marks a return to growth after the sharp downturn of the previous year, which had…
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Rubber in Footwear: From Ancient Innovation to Modern Shoes
Long before the modern shoe industry existed, the civilizations of Mesoamerica—including the Olmec, Maya, and Aztec—were pioneers in the use of rubber. While the Maya and Aztecs are famously known for crafting bouncy rubber balls used in ceremonial games, they also developed innovative methods of applying rubber to footwear. Unlike leather or plant-based sandals, rubber-soled…