Socks! Who invented them?
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (164045)
Boise, Idaho
December 29, 2015 3:57pm CST
My grandson asked me the other day who do you think invented socks? We laughed about it an it was forgotten. So, today he asked about it again and what I found was rather interesting. Thought I would share it. It seems that animal skins were wrapped around the foot and legs early on. Then Ancient Greeks in 8th century wore socks made from matted animal hair. For warmth of course. Ugh! I don't know if I would like some mangy animal fur on my feet.
Your thoughts.
24 people like this
24 responses
@kaka135 (14927)
• Malaysia
30 Dec 15
Good that your grandson asked, and reminded you again, so we know about this.
If I am not mistaken, those days the people were all wearing animal skins or hair, or perhaps leaves when it's not too cold?
I am not sure if I will feel good when wearing other animal hair, but I'd like to have wool which is made of animal hair as well. ![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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@kaka135 (14927)
• Malaysia
3 Jan 16
@celticeagle So you also can't wear sweater or any clothes made by wool? I don't know some are allergic to wool, I never use them here as it's just too hot here. ![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@celticeagle (164045)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Dec 15
I can't wear wool. Makes me itch.
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@infatuatedbby (94914)
• United States
30 Dec 15
I never knew how socks were invented either. Thanks for sharing! ![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@AbbyGreenhill (45494)
• United States
30 Dec 15
I love socks, always have. No matter how much weight I gain I still wear the same size socks!
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@celticeagle (164045)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Dec 15
I can't wear some of them cause my ankles are too big now.
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
1 Jan 16
lol, if your feet were cold and that's what people did I bet you would, without even thinking twice
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@celticeagle (164045)
• Boise, Idaho
2 Jan 16
If I trimmed it myself and knew it was absent any vermon or bugs.
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@celticeagle (164045)
• Boise, Idaho
6 Jan 16
@Jessicalynnt ...itchy big time here. We had bed bugs this last summer and am I every paranoid. Even typing about bugs and i get itchy.
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@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
2 Jan 16
@celticeagle lol I bet back then people didn't really even think about bugs, the thought makes me itchy to be honest, I cannot imagine a time with no real shampoo, deodorant, and showers.
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@trivia79 (7828)
• El Segundo, California
30 Dec 15
This is an excerpt from a website...
"Way back in the cavemen days, we used animal skins gathered around the ankle and tied for socks, sometimes animal furs to keep us extra warm. In early medieval times, those who wore socks were considered of the noble classes. Socks were woven or sewn by hand. And in the 16th century with the invention of the knitting machine, tighter woven socks were made. They were often made of wool for the general population and silk or cotton for the upper classes. It wasn’t until the early 20th century that nylon socks were introduced." ![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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2 people like this
@winterose (39887)
• Canada
30 Dec 15
very interesting, I would have thought a colder climate would have invented socks though
1 person likes this
@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
29 Dec 15
Wow that is interesting never thought about it. Great your grandson did tho. I love the photo haha..whatever tribe we come from surely did not wear footwear...we all hate socks and shoes lolz
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@celticeagle (164045)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Dec 15
I like socks in the winter but nothing in summer.
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@celticeagle (164045)
• Boise, Idaho
9 Jan 16
@TiarasOceanView ...Unless there's stickers. Ouch!
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@TiarasOceanView (70022)
• United States
30 Dec 15
@celticeagle Oh yes no nothing in summer.
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@Tampa_girl7 (49864)
• United States
9 Jan 16
I guess it was better then having frozen feet![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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@garymarsh6 (23404)
• United Kingdom
30 Dec 15
I know some people who you would think have skunk fur socks on when they remove their shoes!
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@troyburns (1405)
• New Zealand
30 Dec 15
I'd rather have mangy fur than cold feet. When my feet are suffering, the whole of my body suffers too.
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@celticeagle (164045)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Dec 15
Whatever works for you at that point, huh?
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@HazySue (39264)
• Gouverneur, New York
30 Dec 15
@celticeagle that was such a good question that your grandson asked. I love the answer, history is so interesting. I am with you, I think I would have rather had cold feel than matted animal hair wrapped around them.
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@celticeagle (164045)
• Boise, Idaho
29 Dec 15
Yes, I just got a visual on those. Ugh! Very fashionable. LOL
@Marilynda1225 (81807)
• United States
29 Dec 15
I"m thankful to whomever invented socks....I love socks!!
1 person likes this
@Pattitude (1287)
• Newton, North Carolina
29 Dec 15
I had never thought of the origin of socks before! I love that I live now with today's socks rather than yesteryear!
I just love new and freshly washed socks!
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (164045)
• Boise, Idaho
29 Dec 15
Me too! I love the fresh smell and how the fit so nice. I have several that are men's socks for winter time around the house. And, I got some new softies for Christmas!
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