More Than Silly Socks.
Homecoming week is a staple of high school tradition. Every day has a different fun theme to it, such as “Character Day” or “Pajama Day.” However, one of the class’ favorites has always been “Silly Sock Day.” It involves the expected: people wearing the silliest socks they can find. Students can be seen sporting dill pickle socks, beer pint socks, TMNT socks, and Catholic saint socks. Daniel Newman, a senior at St. Lukes, spoke on his enjoyment of Silly Sock Day, saying “Silly Sock Day is the goofiest day of the year!” The history of socks extends far beyond St. Lukes, however.
Socks have existed for millennia, since their invention by John Sock during ancient times. Back then, society dealt with major issues due to a lack of socks. Chafed, sweaty, and cold feet were all commonplace. Something had to be done, so with a stroke of genius, the first socks were created. Early models were very rudimentary, simply being animal skin that was tied around the feet. However, sock technology steadily advanced, and an updated version was released by the Romans around 200 BC, known as udones. These were the first fitted socks, now made of cloth instead of skin. Being cheaper and much more comfortable, they spread throughout all of Rome.
Socks saw their next major improvement centuries later during the Industrial Revolution. Socks could now be produced six times faster, and their dirt cheap price meant even rural peasants could enjoy them. Nylon started being incorporated into socks starting in 1938, meaning socks were now more durable and elastic. Rubber bands were also added to socks, meaning garters were no longer needed to hold them up. A famous journalist from the Foot News Network commented “Socks have been greatly improved in recent years. I recently purchased a pair of white stockings, and was impressed with the superior craftsmanship, convenience, and luxury.”
This leads us to today’s modern sock, the culmination of millennia worth of innovation. They are extremely affordable, almost anybody can purchase them. They keep feet dry in sweaty conditions. They are durable enough to withstand the most active lifestyles. Socks are often unnoticed despite the convenience they bring us and the incredible technology they are constructed with. “Silly Sock Day” at St. Lukes is not only a day for students to have fun, but one to commemorate one of the most invaluable articles of clothing in our lives.
