Shoemakers in the 19th century

Shoemaking was a traditional handicraft, but by the century’s end, the process had been almost completely mechanized, with production occurring in large factories.

Shoemakers generally used leather, wood, and plant material, and often consisted of multiple parts for better durability of the sole. They used more than 15 different techniques of making shoes. At that time shoes were made by hand and one at a time.