The Saturday briefing

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER by CAROLINE FORD

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WELL-HEELED: Fashion and image has dictated the evolution of the heeled shoe and, below, Donald O'Connor

Is there anything you're yearning to know? Send your questions, on any subject, to the contacts given below, and we will do our best to answer them...

Why are shoes mostly produced with a separate heel and sole and when did this come about and for what purpose?

Neil Veck, Penllergaer, Swansea

High heels have been an important fashion statement for centuries - accentuating the calf muscles and making the wearer appear taller.

The first “shoes” were made from plant fibres or animal skins, and used to protect feet from rough terrain and cold. The oldest dated footwear is a collection of 10,000-year-old sandals, woven from sagebrush, found in Oregon.

The heel was developed for practical reasons, as livery tack replaced riding horses bareback. Elevated heels allowed the wearer to keep their feet in the stirrups. In the 10th-century, Persian cavalry, particularly archers, wore heeled boots to allow them to stand on a galloping horse and take aim.

This military use was adopted by European nobles, who equated heeled shoes with masculinity and prestige. As heels became more widespread, aristocrats responded by having them made from silk and brocade and increasing the height to extreme levels.