The History Of Clogs

Clogs are a type of footwear. There are four main types of clogs. Clogs can be a type of shoe or sandal made predominantly out of wood. They can be a type of heavy boot or shoe with sides, uppers and typically thick wooden soles, and may have steel toecaps and/or steel reinforcing inserts in the undersides of the soles. A clog can also be a special kind of shoe worn while clog-dancing (clogging). They are similar to tap shoes, but the taps are free to click against each other, therefore producing a different sound than tap shoes. Nowadays, "clogs" also mean comfortable slip-on shoes. They are often made out of leather, but some clogs keep the bottom part out of wood. All-rubber clogs are often worn while gardening, because they can be easily hosed off and allowed to air-dry. Some clogs come with heels, and are usually distinguished from mules by their higher vamp. It is commonly accepted that men and women can wear low-heeled or high-heeled clogs.

Clogs were, and in some regions still are, widely worn by workers as protective clothing in factories, mines and farms.

Clog-Dancing

There is a theory that clogging or clog dancing arose in these industrial textiles mills as a result of the mill workers entertaining themselves by syncopating foot taps with the rhythmic sounds made by the loom shuttles. Clog dancing became a widespread pastime during this period in England. During the nineteenth century, competitions were held and professional clog dancers performed in the music halls.
Clog dancing is a continuing tradition in Wales. The difference between Welsh clogging and other step dance traditions is that the performance will not only include complicated stepping, but also 'tricks'. For example, snuffing out a lit candle with the dancer's feet, toby stepping - similar to Cossack dancing— and high leaps into the air.

Clogs in 1970s fashion

Swedish clogs became popular fashion accessories in the 1970s and 1980s for both sexes. They were usually worn without socks and were considered suitable attire for the avant-garde man.

Platform clogs in 1980s and 1990s fashion

Based on the clog model, platform clogs or sandals, often raised as high as 6 or even 8 inches right through between sole and insole, were another fashion of the 1980s and 90s in many western countries for women. This large mid layer was often made of solid cork, although some were merely of plastic with a cork covering. The sole, more often than not, was made of a light sandy-colored rubber. Some of the platforms of these clogs were encompassed about with a string-laced effect.
 
I found this information on the Wikipedia website @ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clogs. Clogs have certainly evolved a whole lot from what they have originally come from.  It goes to shoe that some things still get better and better as time goes on.  Here we are in 2009 and the clogs are still going strong with the professional clogs being one of the most comfortable shoes worn by people that have to be on their feet for long hours daily.