The Wellington boot is a waterproof rubber boot that loosely covers the calves. They are commonly used for a range of agricultural and outdoors pursuits.
The Wellington boot is associated with Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, (the Iron Duke). In 1817, the Duke of Wellington instructed his shoemaker, Hoby of St James Street, London to modify his Hessian 18th century boots so that they fitted more closely around the leg. He also instructed that they be hard-wearing for riding, yet smart enough for informal evening wear. The result was a boot made in calfskin leather with the trim removed and cut to fit more closely around the leg. The heels were low cut and the boot stopped at mid-calf.
Wellingtons first appeared in 1817 and proved popular with the British troops because they were hard wearing for battle yet comfortable for evening wear.
The boot leather was treated with wax to make them softer and more waterproof.
The new boots became a very popular fashion accessory for British gentlemen such as the renowned dandy George "Beau" Brummell. Considered fashionable and foppish in the best circles, they remained the main fashion for men throughout the 1840's
Wellington is one of the two British Prime Ministers to have given his name to an item of clothing, the other being Sir Anthony Eden after whom the Anthony Eden hat is named.
On a sea voyage the vessel in which Wellington was in encountered a violent storm and seemed about to sink. The captain came to Wellington's cabin at dusk and said, "It will soon be all over with us." Wellington about to go to bed said, "Very well, then I shall not take off my boots."
In 1844 American chemist Charles Goodyear invented the modern chemical process to create and manufacture pliable, waterproof, moldable rubber, which was to be of great importance for vehicle tires. Eight years later American industrialist Hiram Hutchinson met Charles Goodyear and acquired patent rights to the vulcanisation of rubber from him.
Hutchinson moved to France where he applied the new rubber vulcanisation process to the production of Wellington boots. In a country where 95% of the population were working on fields with wooden clogs, the introduction of the wholly waterproof, Wellington-type rubber boot was an instant success: farmers would be able to come back home with clean, dry feet. The name Wellington boot subsequently became associated with these waterproof rubber footwear rather than the leather boots.
In 1856, the Scotland-based North British Rubber Company (known today by the brand name Hunter Boots) began manufacturing rubber Wellington rain boots. Production of their waterproof boot was dramatically boosted with the advent of World War I and a requirement for footwear suitable for the conditions in Europe's flooded and muddy trenches. The North British Rubber Company produced a total of 1,185,036 pairs of Wellington boots to meet the British Army's demands.
Wellingtons were originally only available in one color: black. Other colors didn’t appear until 1955, the year Hunter Boots introduced green boots. In 1980, sales of their green wellies skyrocketed after Lady Diana Spencer (future Princess Diana) was pictured wearing a pair on the Balmoral estate during her courtship with Prince Charles.
In Australia and New Zealand wellies are called “gumboots” is a nod to the natural rubber that rain boots are made from. Natural rubber, which is obtained from trees, is called "gum rubber."
In North America, Wellingtons are usually called rubber boots, but sometimes galoshes, mud boots, rain boots, mucking boots, billy boots, or gum-boots.
Sources Historyofboots, Farmersalmanac
 |
| Sailing boot. By Helmardine |
The Wellington boot is associated with Arthur Wellesley, the first Duke of Wellington, (the Iron Duke). In 1817, the Duke of Wellington instructed his shoemaker, Hoby of St James Street, London to modify his Hessian 18th century boots so that they fitted more closely around the leg. He also instructed that they be hard-wearing for riding, yet smart enough for informal evening wear. The result was a boot made in calfskin leather with the trim removed and cut to fit more closely around the leg. The heels were low cut and the boot stopped at mid-calf.
Wellingtons first appeared in 1817 and proved popular with the British troops because they were hard wearing for battle yet comfortable for evening wear.
The boot leather was treated with wax to make them softer and more waterproof.
The new boots became a very popular fashion accessory for British gentlemen such as the renowned dandy George "Beau" Brummell. Considered fashionable and foppish in the best circles, they remained the main fashion for men throughout the 1840's
Wellington is one of the two British Prime Ministers to have given his name to an item of clothing, the other being Sir Anthony Eden after whom the Anthony Eden hat is named.
On a sea voyage the vessel in which Wellington was in encountered a violent storm and seemed about to sink. The captain came to Wellington's cabin at dusk and said, "It will soon be all over with us." Wellington about to go to bed said, "Very well, then I shall not take off my boots."
 |
| The Duke of Wellington at Waterloo. By James Lonsdale portrayed wearing tasselled Hessian boots |
In 1844 American chemist Charles Goodyear invented the modern chemical process to create and manufacture pliable, waterproof, moldable rubber, which was to be of great importance for vehicle tires. Eight years later American industrialist Hiram Hutchinson met Charles Goodyear and acquired patent rights to the vulcanisation of rubber from him.
Hutchinson moved to France where he applied the new rubber vulcanisation process to the production of Wellington boots. In a country where 95% of the population were working on fields with wooden clogs, the introduction of the wholly waterproof, Wellington-type rubber boot was an instant success: farmers would be able to come back home with clean, dry feet. The name Wellington boot subsequently became associated with these waterproof rubber footwear rather than the leather boots.
In 1856, the Scotland-based North British Rubber Company (known today by the brand name Hunter Boots) began manufacturing rubber Wellington rain boots. Production of their waterproof boot was dramatically boosted with the advent of World War I and a requirement for footwear suitable for the conditions in Europe's flooded and muddy trenches. The North British Rubber Company produced a total of 1,185,036 pairs of Wellington boots to meet the British Army's demands.
Wellingtons were originally only available in one color: black. Other colors didn’t appear until 1955, the year Hunter Boots introduced green boots. In 1980, sales of their green wellies skyrocketed after Lady Diana Spencer (future Princess Diana) was pictured wearing a pair on the Balmoral estate during her courtship with Prince Charles.
In Australia and New Zealand wellies are called “gumboots” is a nod to the natural rubber that rain boots are made from. Natural rubber, which is obtained from trees, is called "gum rubber."
In North America, Wellingtons are usually called rubber boots, but sometimes galoshes, mud boots, rain boots, mucking boots, billy boots, or gum-boots.
 |
| A pair of Hunter 'Original Tall' Wellington boots.By Jan |
No comments:
Post a Comment