Clarks footwear has a long history dating back nearly 200 years to a pair of slippers made from sheepskin by Cyrus and James Clark in 1825. While it may not sound like much, it was a milestone of innovation that the company has continued to this very day. Every new shoe design at Clarks begins in the same way, by taking a piece of wood from the hornbeam tree and carving the form or “last” around which each shoe will be formed. But those kinds of traditional techniques have also kept up with the times as Clarks utilizes the latest advanced techniques in footwear construction utilizing contemporary materials of the highest quality. Clarks has engaged in deep study of the human foot, which Leonardo da Vinci described as a “masterpiece of engineering and a work of art.” The company understands the biomechanics of the foot and how it changes over time, as well as what it takes to keep feet happy and healthy for a lifetime. Clarks has created more than 22,000 styles of shoes during its history and shows no signs of slowing down.