History

• Dutch clogs or "klompen" originated in antiquity, from the shoes worn by European peasants during Roman times. These were known as "galoce," and had wooden soles and patterned leather tops. Up until the 19th century, they were worn by women to protect their feet from muddy village streets. Later on, they became useful to protect feet against injury from nails and to promote air circulation.
  
  

Dutch Popularity

• Workers originally wore clogs to protect their feet.Sabots image by Loic LE BRUSQ from Fotolia.com
  
  During the Industrial Revolution, clogs became popular with factory workers, not only in the Netherlands but in England, France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Due to the swampy landscape of the Netherlands, however, the shoes caught on more quickly there. An upturned toe made them comfortable for walking and standing for long periods. Straw was used to cushion the foot from the stiff wood of the sole.
  
  

Clog Dancing

• Clogging is still a widely performed style of tap dance.shoes image by diego cervo from Fotolia.com
  
  During the 19th century, the popularity of clogs gave rise to a style of dancing known as clogging---"Klompendansen" in Dutch. The hard wooden soles of the shoes would be tapped against cobblestone streets to make distinctive sounds. Nails or metal spikes could be added to vary the effect.
  
  

Construction

• Dutch shoemakers have perfected their trade.a lot of wooden shoes image by Ramona smiers from Fotolia.com
  
  Wooden shoes have been constructed out of many types of wood, including beech, sycamore, willow, alder and birch. Though clogs worn by workers in past eras were usually kept plain and unpainted, tourists may now buy wooden shoes intricately carved and painted. Wooden shoe makers have perfected their art over hundreds of years, and now include specific designs and styles distinct to their own region.
  
  

Today

• Millions of clogs are produced in the Netherlands as souvenirs.pendant image by Alex White from Fotolia.com
  
  In the Netherlands today, 3 million wooden shoes are still produced yearly, making them an important industry for the Dutch economy. Many of these are purchased by tourists as souvenirs. Dutch people may also don a pair for special occasions or holidays, or to give tourists a glimpse of Dutch life in times gone by.