The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-08-04
Origin and Evolution Of French Heels.

UrIgin anu EVOLUTION OF FRENCH HeelSs
The French heel has been blamed for
much that it does not deserve because
its object is not understood and hence
il is improperly used. The wearer of a
French heel should bear in mind the
fact that such heels are only intended
as slight assistance in walking on
tiptoe and to make the carriage more
steady and uniform than walking on
tiptoe ordinarily is, instead of suppos-
ing that they are to bear the weight of
the body as fiat heels are.
The square "heel and toe walk of
the pedestrian should never be attempt
ed on French heels. The force with
which the wearers strike their heels is
shown by the fact that they are gener-
ally iron clad or shod with brass, and
that on old boots they are invariably
worn off or run over" This should
never be. A lady that would walk
gracefully on French heels should be
able to walk as well on glass heels as
on iron or wooden ones. Worn in this
way real French heels (not the base
limitations sold as such in this country
would develop the calf and improve the
shape of the leg instead of injuring it
as high heels now have the reputation
of doing, and the serious charge that
surgeons make of their throwing the
whole weight of the body on the arch
of the foot would vanish at once
Ladies (and gentlemen, too) if they
wish to walk gracefully on French heels
may practice indoors by taking . pair
of slippers or lace boots acitB0ut heels,
and fastening to each, at the point
where the heel should be. small rub
Der bali with whistle in it that makes
a noise when it is squeezed. The size
of the ball should correspond to the
height of heel to be worn. When the
wearer gets so she, or he, can walk
without pressing on the balls hard
enough to make them squeal, they will
be able 10 walk lightly and gracefully
on French heels without any danger to
the arch of the foot. and without any
need of brass heel plates.
1t is evident that pointed toed boots
are not so well adapted to use with
French heels as square toed ones, for
in all tiptoe walking the toes mast have
plenty of room. Short steps are also
preferable to long strides.
1t is not the part of science to discuss
the Relative beauty of high and low
heels, but merely to state the underly-
ing principles of mathematics and
anatomy, and to show how they may
be made conducive to health instead of
as now the reverse. Hitherto Scientific
observers have held themselves aloof
from all matters of fashion, treating
her with contempt. HYGIENE reform
ers content themselves with abusing
fashion, which goes on totally indiffer-
ent to all they say. No one has ever
attempted to study the science of fash
ion, and yet Herbert Spencer SAYS that
wherever there are facts which can be
collated and compared, we have the
basis for forming science.
1t there is a science of history there
must be a science of fashion, absurd as
this may sound. Facts are abundant,
and we have every reason to believe
that the principles of evolution and de-
velopment will be found to hold good
there as elsewhere. The above sketch
OF the origin of French heels will serve
to show that, when properly inter-
preted, some of the most absurd fash
ions teach useful lesson. and if prop
erly directed they may lead to benefit
instead of injury. II is safe to assume
that twenty-five per cent. of our people
are bound by the chains of fashion. Is
not a subject so intimately associated
with the welfare of humanity worthy
the study of scientific men, Scientific
american.