The evolution of sneaker design over 200 years in 20 photos

Sneakers and sneakers these days are not even a fashionable must-have, but as essential a thing as a kettle or an umbrella. A wardrobe of a modern person is unthinkable without a pair of sports shoes, which play an increasingly important role in the image of men and women, politely pushing aside perhaps more beautiful, but not so functional options. A young man who complements his suit with sneakers, or a woman who chose sneakers rather than stilettos for her dress? The usual thing. But this shoe has been around for many years, and it has become a cult, as evidenced by the opening of The Rise of Sneaker Culture exhibition in one of the largest art museums in the United States - the Brooklyn Museum.

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1. Running shoes, created in the 1860s. One of the oldest pair of sneakers that have survived to this day. (Photo: Greg Washington / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

Incredibly, the history of sneakers (this is the common name for sneakers and sneakers) has not even decades, but centuries. The first models of shoes for "competitive walking" appeared at the beginning of the 19th century. Since then, its design and convenience have been continuously improved. The Rise of Sneaker Culture showcases 150 pairs of shoes that started out as a curious novelty and continue today as a symbol of urban style. In the museum, you can admire unique archival items from Adidas, Converse, Nike, Puma, Reebok, the creations of cult designers from different years, and even models created in collaboration with legendary artists (for example, Damien Hirst).

2. Converse sneakers, 1917 (Photo: American Federation of Arts)

This model was called All Stars and debuted as "gym shoes". The modern counterpart does not differ much in design from its ancestor and is still very much loved by mods.

3. Sports shoes Dominion Rubber Company, 1925. (Photo: Hal Roth / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

4. Waitzer by Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik, 1936, created by German shoemaker and future Adidas founder Adi Dassler for the 1936 Olympics. (Photo: Adidas AG / Studio Waldeck / American Federation of Arts)

5. Converse Gripper, late 1940s or early 1950s. (Photo: Ron Wood / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

6. Nike's Waffle Trainer, 1974, the first attempt at a truly lightweight running shoe. (Photo: Ron Wood / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

7. Superstars model autographed by rappers Run DMC, who sang the hit My Adidas in 1986, 2011. (Photo: Ron Wood / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

8. Adidas, 1980 (Photo: Adidas AG / Studio Waldeck / American Federation of Arts)

9. Model Micropacer from Adidas, 1984, with a built-in microsensor of calories expended. (Photo: Ron Wood / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

10. Nike, 1984-1985. (Photo: Ron Wood / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

11. Model Nike, 2003. (Photo: Ron Wood / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

12. Nike, 2005 (Photo: American Federation of Arts)

13. Sneakers designed by rapper Kanye West for Louis Vuitton. (Photo: Ron Wood / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

14. Fashion designer Pierre Hardy pioneered pop art sports shoes in the late 1990s. (Photo: American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

15. A pair created by Puma in collaboration with the designers of Undefeated in 2009. (Photo: Ron Wood / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

16. Couple from Common Projects, 2015. (Photo: American Federation of Arts)

17. Air Jordan III by Nike, 1988. (Photo: Kathy Tarantola Photography / American Federation of Arts)

18. Foamposite by Nike, 1997. (Photo: Ron Wood / American Federation of Arts / Bata Shoe Museum)

19. Nike collaboration with American artist Tom Sachs.

20. The creation of artist Jim Lasser (Jimm Lasser) leaves traces ... (Photo: Kathy Willens / AP)