Dr. Martens

Guide Note

Dr. Martens is a popular brand of footwear, clothing and accessories developed by Dr. Klaus Maertens. The footwear has a distinct air-cushion sole and grew in popularity in the 1990's with it's black combat boot.

Fast Facts

1. First Developed: 1945
2. Developed from: German Army Boots
3. Co. HQ: Germany
4. Popular during the Grunge Movement
5. Trademark: Yellow Stitching

Who was the Doc?

In 1945 there was a doctor in Germany named Klaus Maertens who was uncomfortable in his army issued boots and began work on improving the shoe by adding soft leather and air soles. In 1947 Maertens joined forces with a Dr. Herbert Funck in taking discarded rubber and using it for the soles of the boots. The shoes began to sell mainly to women over the age of 40.

Boot Travels the Globe

While the boots grew in popularity in Munich, it wasn't until 1960 that they hit the United Kingdom, as a vegan-friendly version of the boot took the stage and workers began wearing them as well as punk rockers and skinheads. By the 1990s they hit the youth subculture of the U.S. and comfortably went hand in hand with the flannel and grunge music that was hailing from Seattle.

Popularity Diminishes

Due to declining sales the United Kingdom stopped production of the boot in 2003 and all work moved to China and Thailand. Along with this change, the vegan-friendly practices stopped. While these new company practices have effected sales, according to a 2007 New York Times article, the boot has been spotted on recent fashion runways with a new revamped look that may just make a fashion resurgence.