The earliest known shoes are the Fort Rock sandals, woven sagebrush bark sandals dating back 10,200 to 9,300 years ago, found in what is now southeast Oregon and northern Nevada. 

Here's a more detailed look at the history of shoes:

Early Footwear:

The oldest known footwear, the Fort Rock sandals, were discovered in Fort Rock Cave in Oregon and are estimated to be around 10,200 to 9,300 years old. 

Materials:

These early shoes were made from natural materials like sagebrush bark. 

Development of Footwear:

As civilizations developed, so did footwear. In ancient Mesopotamia (around 3000 BCE), sandals made from reeds and palm leaves were popular. 

Ancient Egyptian Footwear:

The ancient Egyptians wore sandals made of palm leaves, papyrus, and in some cases, gold. 

Leather Shoes:

The earliest known shoes made from leather are believed to date back to 3500 BCE. 

Shoemaking as an Artisan Craft:

Artisan shoemakers, called cordwainers, made shoes by hand out of leather throughout medieval times. 

Shoemaking Technology:

Shoe manufacturing became more advanced and commercialized with the invention of the sewing machine in the mid-18th and 19th centuries. 

Modern Shoes:

Today, shoe manufacturing is a multi-billion dollar industry, with shoes designed for a variety of purposes and in a wide variety of styles, including athletic shoes, dress shoes, boots, dance shoes, and orthopedic shoes.