Shoe trees are these devices are used to preserve the shape of your shoe and prevent creases. Shoe stretchers are used to extend the length and width of shoes in order to help with comfort and foot injuries, such as blisters. The Victorians Collections has a picture of a shoe stretcher from 1692, so these are pretty old devices. Those were made of metal, but here are some made out of other materials for centuries past.
The shoe tree was first patented in 1905 by William C. Benkert in the US. 4 years later in 1909, Charles Lewis Passmore would patent the shoe stretcher. Since then, they have come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and specializations. These devices have been an important part of foot health throughout history and as someone with large wide, rectangle sized feet, devices like this are very useful.
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