Shoes only last a couple hours -

[erv2u]

On this machine:

[Thys]

No doubt the evil Dr. Erv-nstein has the designs somewhere and is improving on this machine.




Found the original 1938 article in which the first picture was publicized.

Here's another picture.

The database caption: “Shoe tester. E.L. Wallace, acting Chief of the Leather Section of the Bureau of Standards, shown with the endurance shoe tester. The tester holds eight shoes to test walking, steps, and sole construction.” Taken October 10, 1935 by the Harris & Ewing photo studio.

Some more information about it.

Invented at the National Bureau of Standards in 1933 and used until about 1945, this device tested the endurance of leather shoes. Shoes mounted at the end of radial spokes are pressed by a controllable force against a moving abrasive belt that simulates the surface of the ground.

[erv2u]

Now Dr.Thys where would you get such an idea about the good Dr. Erv-nstein

[rigilover]

Great idea.

More please.

[001]

What a great job that would be testing all those shoes to destruction. Would be good to see a video of that machine in action if anyone can find one?

It reminds me of a time when I was younger at college, a couple of the girls had swapped shoes and one was refusing to change back so the other got some sandpaper from the wood working block and proceeded to sit there sanding her friends shoes away until such time as her own were returned. That was so amazing to watch and the shoes were pretty trashed by the time they finally did change back.