February 16, 2024
Footwear company Vivobarefoot partnered with material science company Balena to design a 3D-printed sneaker from compostable matter. The shoe has been made from a recyclable thermoplastic material produced by Balena and can be composted in an industrial facility after use. Customers can scan their feet using an application on their smartphone, which enables the production of tailor-made shoes to suit their feet. The scan automatically starts the 3D printing process of the shoes. The 3D printing method decreases waste and the biodegradable nature of the shoes enables them to be disposed of without harming the environment.
DID YOU KNOW?
The oldest known footwear is believed to be between 9,300 to 10,500 years old and was made of sagebrush. It was discovered in Fort Rock Cave in Oregon, USA.
Image Source: vivobarefoot.com
ACTIVITY: Design a Shoe
Draw and colour a shoe; add different elements like cloth, leather and metal studs to make it unique.
