The History of Dr. Martens: From Innovation to Subculture 

In the early 90s I was an angsty 24 year old who got tired of trying to look the way society expected women to look so I shaved my head and wore Docs with girly little dresses. I got fired when I walked into work without hair. My family thought I was a closet lesbian coming out. My boyfriend didn't dump me though. He said I was badass and we got married. Good times 😀

Interesting video. Found myself in it at 6:28 banging my head to DOA in 1989 (on the left with blonde mohawk). Still love Dr. Martens and still wear them.

i remember last summer, someone stopped me on the street because we both had on docs and we had a full on 30 minute conversation and now we're still friends to this day c:

I got my first pair of Dr Martens In 1971 when I was 11 years old. I have always had a pair since then. Great boots

im kind of disapointed that martens are "hip" or "trendy" now... it feels less rebellious...

its a shame that there is no more subcultures like punks and mods and skins and teddyboys because its fucking boring without them

I love you all so much. Thank you for making my feet Zombie-Apocalypse proof while still looking smashing at the same time.

I bought a pair for work, as I needed a tough boot that I wouldn't slip around in. I had no idea there was so much behind them though.

The teenage mutant ninja turtles edition boots will be the final nail in the coffin of what once was a truly great symbol.

glad i wear my dads cherry red boots he wore back when he was a skinhead

Wish they where made as good as they use to be. These new ones just don't last like the OG ones. I normally look around on eBay and find the ones made in England. I did just buy some industry docs yesterday . I wore today and feel good . Just have to see ho the hold up . I kicked a pallet today and a nice piece of leather cam off . So Cambodia made Martins but it's no holiday .

Im a working class factory worker in the states and a proud owner and wearer of Dr. Martens

I have Dr. Martens since I'm 15 (I'm 40 now). I bought my last pair 10 years ago. Still wearing them a lot. :-) Great shoes. Very confortable. And yes, it means something to wear them.

No other footwear in the known world shares the iconic history of Doc Martens boots! So Incredibly amazing! I only have 8 pair now!

A united world of individuals... In the boot, not under it. FREEDOM.

SOMEONE WHO FINALLY SHARES MY VIEW! THANK YOU SO MUCH

I think most American Gen-Xers cringe when someone says "doctor" instead of DOC Martens. That's what our parents called them. LOL

The Dr. Martens were developed by the German doctor Klaus Märtens, to whom they owe their name. Klaus Märtens, who had served as a doctor in the Wehrmacht, constructed the first prototypes in 1945, a few weeks after the end of the Second World War. He wanted to develop sturdy shoes with a less hard shoe sole than the conventional safety boots that he had to wear as a worker. Märtens and his fellow student Herbert Funck, who was born in Luxembourg and was not affected by the trade restrictions in post-war Germany, entered into a partnership and began in 1947 in Seeshaupt near Munich to manufacture soles with rubber from the disused German Air Force. The other components of the first shoes also consisted of army remains. The shoulder pieces (epaulettes) of the uniform jackets, the leather of the trousers of the officers' uniforms, served as inserts. According to the inventor, the time was perfect to manufacture comfortable safety boots after the war. The shoes became popular very quickly, so Märtens and Funck opened a factory in Munich in 1952. During the 1950s, they sold 200 different styles of shoes. In 1959, the team first advertised the idea in international magazines..An advertisement in Shoe & Leather News, a UK catalog for shoes and leather clothing, caught the attention of Bill Griggs, managing director of shoe manufacturer R. Griggs & Co. The UK shoe market was fierce, with Tuf boots as the market leaders, and how many others looked to Griggs for an innovative new product. Griggs acquired a production license from Märtens and Funck to manufacture safety boots. However, lacking the technology and tools to make and attach the soles, Griggs worked with Northamptonshire Productive Society Ltd. (NPS) a shoe that consisted of a Solovair sole and Griggs' upper material. [1] He changed the design of the shoes to a more conservative style as he wanted to produce and market the shoes as durable work boots. There was also the domed leather cap on the toes and a yellow sewing thread, which is still the trademark of Dr. Martens is. On April 1, 1960, the Dr. Martens as a boot with eight holes for the laces in production.😉

21 years later and I still have my boots. And they still look great. Bought them with my first pay check.

when I put the docs and play the music, it's more energy and having punk feeling.

My mom once passed me her old pair of short Dr. Martens, which I was wearing for another 10 years. Still my favorite shoes. Still can't find better.

Docs are expensive now so working class cant really afford them

Back in 1980 I got a pair of black Dr Marten boots for school. Times were tuff back then so ur shoes had to do u not just for school but also for every other time. Most kids oni had 1 pair of shoes as unemployment was so high. My parents bought me them because they were built to last & not only did they last the full school year but usually got 18 months outta them ( which was pretty good as id only 1 pair of boots n walked everywhere as we had no car ). I still wear DM boots today.!!!!

Got a new-in-box pair for $25 on craigslist because I needed a boot for work in an auto garage. After about a year the soles were worn down to almost no tread. However they were one of the most comfortable work boot I had ever owned. 9 hour days on concrete flooring & no pain or fatigue. Considering getting them resoled after watching this vid.

Just bought my first pair, hope they'll live up to their reputation after watching this.

Got my first pair, I love them...!

Had them since I was a kid and I always will have them!

Awesome doc Doc.

I was hoping to see a documentary on the history of Dr. Maertens including the man himself, production techniques, materials, factory tour and so on. This was just about kids who thought boots meant revolution. Misleading title.

TIG welder/fabricator here checking in after a new cherry 1460 purchase. Fukn stoked. Wearing them to bed tonight cause they're not coming off.

Just got my first dr martens, love em!

I just want them because there built to last, have a tough look and the burgundy is crazy cool.

that was so beautiful

Love My Docs. Watching from London.

When I was 11 I saw my aunt wear a pair with jeans and a Metallica shirt and talking about how she was going surfing.... man her outfit was so cool.... this was like... 2008?? When baby phat was cool lol Ive wore a pair since then lol

Appreciate your effort!

>working class >make them really expensive >???

I am a size UK 7.5...at least that is what it says on my clarks (2 pairs: desert boots and montacute duke) ...what size do you think would be better for a 1460 made in england (if you have any advice)

OI! Campinas- SP- Brazil

at first when i saw dr.martens i didnt know the meaning behing them but its like u just know theres something special about them like if its ur style or personalty u feel like pull to want to get them. and i did and i love them but knowing the history and finding out wht they mean to these people really changes my opinion like theres so much value in meaning in just a show i love my dr.martens soo much more now

Best shows ever I wanted the steel toe cap version

same can be said for the Vancouver Canada's classic Dayton.. they started out as boots for loggers and ranchers and went through all the same stages.. now like Doc Martens, they're focus is on fashion rather than work footwear but it's cool that teens today can get the same kick ass boots they're great grandpa had..

Quality. Freedom. Statement. Dr Martens in 3 words

Stone Roses!

I could never in my lifetime watch this video too often! 😎 🌈 ❤️ 🎸 🎸 🎸

Bought me my first pair when I turned 13yo. I saved up a month's worth of allowance (my dad gave me a nice hefty "domingo" - this was 1989). Anyway, I hauled my ass to "The Village" in NYC. I went to a second story store where all things Skin Head were sold. The only worker there, of course a Skin Head sold me my pair. And as he handed them to me he says, "These are the last if their kind. These are the only female Doc Martens you will ever be able to buy. They have been discontinued." What was sold to me were these gorgeous non rounded Martens. The outer front went inwards. They were truly one of a kind. I wore them daily all throughout High School. I wore them down so much that the ankle bone area had a tiny hole. The sole was worn down where you can see the small cubes that provided the air soles. I was blessed to have had one of the originals. The new ones ain't got shit on the originals.

Oi! Oi! Oi! I love my docs! Best boot a person could buy, honestly. Oi! skins for life!

I want black dr martens for christmas , Santa pleaaase

I Bought My first pair back in 97 its an 8 eyelets 1460

Docs symbolize unity and rebelship to me...

I was definitely excited when I got my first pair of Dr. Martens! Although by that time they had had their reputation somewhat a little tarnished by Skinheads (the fascist ones) but nevermind, I wasn’t about letting those a-holes dictate what I could wear! Anyway one of the most durable pair of shoes I ever owned!! And I very much liked your description of Punks, the most acceptable and inclusive people I met were Punks! It always surprised me after having heard so much crap about them from people who didn’t have a clue and only knew about Punks from their establishment newspapers and clean-cut news anchors.

I love Dr martens !

DID THAT GUY JUST SAY THAT POLICE ARE WORKING CLASS??? BLOODY HIPSTER, DOESNT DESERVE DOC MARTENS

Best boots ever

in the 90s we call it dokmar, yes it's about quality, and one other thing, comfort when we wear it

I’m not a hipster, just a red blooded blue collar American. I guess I’ll get a pair of Red Wings.

When I’m a designer I want to be just as revolutionary as this

Today after a good effort working in a summer camp, I got my first pair of Dr. Martens! I love them so much and it was worth every single penny. I got me the 1460 :D

I just started wearing docs. I don’t wear them cause their trendy I simply wear them cause the look. I’m thinking about getting some creepers or some type of low tops from Docs

I really want some Docs!

Wow Ron Asheton and Niagara in destroy all monsters very cool

Well I love my Dr. Martens because they make me feel strong. They are boots that you can wear with everything and make it look and feel bad ass. Because they are so heavy and hurt so much when you hit someone they make you feel save, and they make a statement about freedom and being true to yourself, I adore my Dr. Martens and I wouldn't give them up for anything. I am sorry for my poor english I am from Chroatia

Great video,does anyone know what song that really cool baseline is from?

I just bought my first pair in Camden Town ! ;-)

my first pair I got when i was a skinhead too., I had a Brit get me them in 82 off Kings road in London ., The N.Y,. skins had some and I got the first pair in Boston ., I got 2 more pirs and had my local punk shop sell them and it was off to the races

Can you tell what type dr.martens commonly used by skinheads ? please answer

love

That was a love story!!!!

I love dr martens

Just landed a pair of brand new new old stock 1980’s originals still in their box! 🎩

I want a pair. I want a pair to look cool, but I also want a pair because of what Dr Martens symbolize. Finding yourself, being different, rebelling, and a long lasting shoe with tons of history. Definitely worth it.

I've worn Docs for many years because they are the most comfortable shoe to wear and they last for many years. The only problem is they don't grip well on ice, snow or wet leaves in Autumn. The tread wears out quickly and can't be replaced. I just can't think what other shoe I should replace them with.

Besides everything they say in the video they are literally the most perfect work shoes. I have worked 15 hour shifts in the kitchen, on my feet with only one break, and at the end of the day my feet feel fine. They are oil proof which is very important as a chef and if your drop your knife you got nothing to worry about.

I wonder how good they are any against the early and later 2000s military combat boots? I have worn military Bellville combat boots and they were much better than any boot that I was issued with in the military. The next one I was impressed with was Georgia Boot Company for wear and comfort as a civilian work boots but unfortunate was the soles wore out smooth. The Bellville summer and winter desert style boots had Neoprene soles that was much tougher than synthetic rubber. The quality is great and had no problems with them in combat and walking miles on patrol. Now I would like to try out something different and be comfortable. I know that these were the boots that everyday people would wear either as fashion or work. I wonder how they would work with me under extreme conditions like I have back in military service. The boots I wear now are over 25 years old and are late 1980s style US Military style black boots. They are beat to shit and the leather is cracking. I hope Dr.Marten's will help me in the future.

I’m 64 and I’ve bought my first three pairs 🎉

This is a bit laughable at this point. Solovairs mops the floor with them. They're no longer boots, they're trendy alt sneakers shaped like boots.

I like it so much.

i wish i had one

just got my first pair:)

Well, I'll try when I'll be buying my next pair :)

My Dad's work boots. 30 years later it became a fashion statement.

I got a pair of Made in England 1460s from the thrift store for 30 bucks 6 years ago and was just wondering if anyone knows how old they are? they have the + shaped tread on the bottom and the eyelets are stamped with Dr.martens/airwair

Getta Grip boots make Dr. Martens look like house slippers.

Nice, docs till the grave! 5:13 TRUTH!!!!

its not an fashion its a way of life

Odd how not one of the presenters in the video stated that the greatest plus for D.M.'s is their lightweight and the fact that walking / working on concrete or steel all day, doesn't "kill" the old dog's....in comparison to other boots "back -in-the-day. I had the "honour" of owning the first ever high top D.M.'s, before the factory made them. Just had a cobbler / shoe-maker make, fit and colur (Ox-Blood) extension pieces to a standard pair. Brilliant job, they looked factory made. .

Poor/working class kids can't afford them, they are pretty expensive, so it's kind of ironic. At least that's how it is here in Croatia.

whats the intro song?

What do I do about the tongue of the boot sliding?

Anyone know what yellow laces in doc martens means? Cheers

0:29 you are all gonna ignore the best punkrock band The Clash

I had 12 up docs. Then a pair of rangers they were nasty.

I bought my first pair of DMs in 1994 as a teen, and I'm wearing the very same pair right now, and they're still good.

7:55 is the Going On music video by Gnarls Barkley. haha So weird because I mentioned liking the Ink Blot Ines in the store on Reddit probably because of the Crazy music video ;) Such a weird coincidence, shame not a lot of styles are in my size now but hopefully they restock after xmas. First pair so know sweet fa about doc styles and restocks

Don Letts' @ 5:13 is perfect.

I wanna be adored by stone roses

When was the blur song? I dont like blur but I didnt hear a blur song?

So glad I got my 14 hole docs back in 97. Sole is worn out and I am unable to find a place that will resole them where am.

just cos someones rich doesn't mean they cant wear them, and just cos they think it'll make them cool doesn't mean they don't deserve to wear them. anyone can wear whatever the fuck they want for whatever reason and none of us can say anything against it, if someones wearing for the materialistic values then it'll show when they wear them cos they won't look right. Why is it such a big deal that things like this remain alternative, they're such an iconic look they'll always look different.

I've been looking EVERYWHERE for the second song.. but i can't find it :( HELP!!?! D: