I have written several columns through the years about my being late to the game in learning how to tie my shoes. To avoid the embarrassment, I wore cowboy boots to kindergarten. I know how to tie my shoes now, but I prefer to continue to avoid the process. I no longer wear cowboy boots, but I do slip on plenty of loafers. 

Of course, I wear laced shoes as well. When tying a pair the other day, I noticed how the shoes were wearing out, but the shoelaces were in great shape. In fact, I could not recall the last time I broke a shoelace. Is it because laces are made of better quality materials today? Is it because I don’t pull on them as hard when tightening them up? Or is it simply because I don’t wear laced shoes every day?

I am not sure, but I do know that I snapped a lot of shoelaces as a child. I can still feel my body reeling backwards with the broken lace gripped tightly in my hand. Then I would try to tie the pieces of lace together, which never seemed to work. We had plenty of extra shoelaces around our house growing up, but the breaks often happened when I was in a hurry or not at home. I don’t know if we even have any replacement shoelaces at home now. If we do, I don’t know where they are. 

Do you ever wonder who invented shoelaces? Well, it was Otzi the Iceman, of course. Otzi died in 3300 BC, and his frozen mummy was found wearing bearskin shoes with lime bark shoelaces.

Generations later, some shoemakers stopped making laces and focused instead on buttons or buckles, but shoelaces lived on. The first patent was filed in 1790, and soldiers during the American Civil War even wore ankle-high boots with leather laces.

In the 20th-century, shoemakers started using synthetic materials. Puma created the first Velcro sneakers in 1968, and elderly men everywhere rejoiced.

How about a “shoestring budget”? The origin of this phrase seems to have multiple roots. Many believe it is connected to a shoestring gambler or a gambling game. Others say the term denotes a limited budget because bootlaces or straps are close to the ground. Shoestrings are also quite inexpensive to buy, so the concept of having only enough money to purchase strings may also be reflected in the term.

If Otzi the Iceman knew it would become this complicated, he would have worn cowboy boots, too.

Have fantastic Friday, and thanks for reading.

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@gctimesnews.com
641-332-2707