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Record details

Dr Marten boots

These boots are a variation on the classic black or cherry red leather Dr Marten's boots, with distinctive yellow stitching around the Air Wair sole.

Klaus Märtens was a doctor in the German army during World War II. In 1945 he was on holiday skiing in the Bavarian Alps when he injured his foot. He found that his standard-issue army boots were too uncomfortable, so while he was recuperating he designed a more comfotable boot.

He decided to make and sell the boots, but he didn't have much success until he teamed up with Herbert Funck. In 1959 after some success British shoe manufacturer R. Griggs Group Ltd. bought the patent rights to manufacture the shoes in the UK

On the I April 1960 the first pair rolled off the production line in Wollaston, Northamptonshire and were known as 1460 due to the date of their launch.

These Dr Marten boots are on display in the Northampton Made case in the shoe gallery.