Chilean Mining Accident Stimulates Innovation in Footwear

TORONTO, Oct. 28 /CNW/ - The Bata Shoe Museum is currently displaying the special type of safety boot that was recently designed for the Chilean miners trapped in Minera San Josè.  Manufactured by Bata Industrials, the challenge was to produce a boot that could be transported to the miners more than 600 metres underground.   In order to fit down a long narrow tube that reached the miners, all components of the boot needed to be collapsible. The boot features hydrofugated leather with high water resistance and flexible rubber outsoles.  The inner sock, which was created using a breathable membrane, was designed to help the miners suffering from fungus infections on their feet. The sock also incorporates a metal safety toe.

A display of this specialized footwear will be on view at the Museum until Monday, November 8, 2010.

About the Bata Shoe Museum
The Bata Shoe Museum is dedicated to uncovering the role of footwear in the social and cultural life of humanity. The Museum's growing international collection of over 13,000 objects touches on 4,500 years of history. A varied programme of events and exhibitions lets visitors discover the stories behind footwear from many lands and cultures. Further information is available at www.batashoemuseum.ca.

For further information:

For more information, interviews or visuals please contact:
Rosmarie Gadzovski    
Marketing & Public Relations Manager  
Bata Shoe Museum    
416.979.7799 x225    
[email protected]