April 22, 2024
Dr. Scholl’s, Footwear Brand
Dr. Scholl’s, Footwear Brand - Description
Footcare and orthopedic footwear brand Dr. Scholl’s became one of the biggest companies in America during the 20th century. With over 1,000 products, Dr. Scholl’s sold everything from arch inserts and foot powder to paraffin baths. Created in 1906 by podiatrist William Scholl, the brand’s famous buckled-strap wooden exercise sandal was the Birkenstock of its day, selling millions during its peak in the 1970s and 1980s. A century after the company’s launch, Dr. Scholl’s remains the most trusted name in footcare.
Dr. Scholl’s, Footwear Brand - History
Born in La Porte, Indiana, in 1882, William Scholl was the son of a carriage maker and dairy farmer. He took a shoemaker’s apprentice job as a teen and fell in love with podiatry. After hearing countless foot pain stories, he decided to pursue a medical career specializing in podiatry. He graduated from the University of Illinois College of Medicine in 1904 with an M.D. degree. Two years later, he launched Dr. Scholl, Inc.
Within a short period of time, the brand Dr. Scholl ingratiated itself into the public conscience, making the company’s namesake one of the most famous doctors in the world. There had never been a brand so dedicated to footcare. Some of the first products launched were foot powder and shoe inserts for heels and arches. Within a short time, Dr. Scholl’s products were sold in seemingly every town’s five-and-dime store.
Over his lifetime, Dr. Scholl innovated, manufactured, and sold more than 1,000 foot products. Among them were foam inserts, foot balm, athlete’s foot cream, corn cushions, blister treatments, and wart removal products. During the 1970s, the exercise sandal was introduced. A flip-flop-style shoe with a sculptured wooden sole and buckled strap, the style was the brand’s biggest shoe success. Over the years, Dr. Scholl’s has also sold sneakers, boots, and even high-heels, all constructed for maximum comfort. When Dr. Scholl passed away in 1968, his company was one of the world’s biggest family-owned companies.
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Dr. Scholl’s, Footwear Brand - Identification & Value
Dr. Scholl’s merchandise, which encompasses everything from footwear to insoles, can be identified by its focus on comfort and its familiar blue and gold color packaging. The brand’s biggest sellers include its wooden sandal and numerous insoles. Founder Dr. William Scholl was inspired to start his own footcare brand after hearing numerous foot pain complaints while working as a shoe salesman.
Over the years, the company’s preferred materials have been leather, patent leather, suede, wood, wool fleece, Velcro, cork, and gel. The most collectible Dr. Scholl’s footwear includes sneakers; sandals such as exercise, platform, and wedge; loafers; flats; high heels; and boots. In addition to footwear, Dr. Scholl’s produced numerous foot products such as powder, corn cushions, moleskin, Zino pads, blister treatments, foot baths, paraffin baths, foot warmers, massage mats, and neck and back massagers. Also popular among collectors are examples of Dr. Scholl’s advertising, especially shoe horns, print ads, display cases, and cabinets.
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Dr. Scholl’s, Footwear Brand - Marks
The company mark is a slanted “Dr. Scholl’s” in an italicized block font. The name is enclosed inside a blue oval. An alternate mark is the name “Dr. Scholl’s” in white block letters with a yellow period after “Dr.” The name is inside a blue oval against a yellow square background. The mark for the brand’s shoe line is “Dr. Scholl’s” in a bold, italicized sans-serif font centered above the word “Shoes.”
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Relevant Textiles, Clothing & Accessories Articles
Further Reading on Dr. Scholl’s, Footwear Brand
Books and Periodicals
Foot Doctor to the World by William H. Scholl.
Marketing Communications by Lynne Eagle, Barbara Czarnecka, Stephan Dahl, and Jenny Lloyd.
Shoes: A History from Sandals to Sneakers by Giorgio Riello and Peter McNeil.
Web Resources
About Dr. William Mathias Scholl www.drscholls.com.
Best Foot Forward www.chicagoreader.com.
Dr. Scholl Foundation www.drschollfoundation.com.
Dr. Scholl’s… or “Dr.” Scholl’s?: A Hoosier’s Empire Built on Advertising www.blog.history.in.gov.
William Scholl, 81, Designer Of a Sandal That Set a Trend www.nytimes.com.