Red Wings Footwear
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Red Wings Footwear Collection
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The History of Red Wings
Shoes
Click on the pictures below for more information on the Red Wings Comfort
Casual Footwear Collection
In 1905, Charles H. Beckman
organized the Red Wing Shoe Company in the quiet river town of Red Wing,
Minnesota. The first boot sold for $1.75. Between 1906
and 1917, an American success story began to unfold. In 1907, production was
100 pair per day. By 1915, production topped 200,000 pairs annually.
World War I soldiers were issued the Red Wing No. 16. In 1918, J.R. Sweasy
became the general manager and in 1921, the president of Red Wing Shoes. For
the next three decades, Sweasy steered the company successfully through two
world wars and the Great Depression. On October 18th, 1929, Black Friday
sent the country deep into depression. To save money on coal, workers burned
scrap leather to stay warm in the factory. Between 1940 and 1949, Red Wing's
legendary quality and durability again caught the eye of the U.S. Military.
Red Wing began manufacturing boots for soldiers, making 239 different sizes
and widths for the Army alone. During the 1950s, as America began building
and working again, Red Wings gained popularity all across the country.
During the 1960s, Norman Rockwell created a series of drawings for Red Wing
Shoes. Les Kouba, a young artist who would later become famous for his
wildlife art, also was commissioned by Red Wing Shoes for the 1963 catalog.
During the 1970s and as a result of the booming oil industry, Red Wing Shoes
entered Canada, Mexico, South America, Europe and a number of oil producing
countries in the East. By 1985, production reached two million pair. The
factory expanded for the third time and added a night shift at both plants.
Red Wing Shoes expanded its products to over 150 styles, serving every
industry imaginable.
From a tiny corner shop started in 1905, Red Wing Shoe
Company, Inc. has grown into the most respected manufacturer of hard working
boots and shoes around the globe. Today, with three facilities and hundreds
of craftspeople making thousands of pairs by hand each day, Red Wing Shoe
Company, Inc. continues to provide comfort, quality and durability.