From the grimy surface of the mining industry to being ?the? fashion accessory of people living the trendy life. The wellingtons are a fashion icon; they are a statement of changes that our world has gone through since they were first made in the 1800s.



In fact the wellington can claim to be just a good storyteller of our history. It is not just a shoe but it is a compelling example of human industry in its struggle to overcome a multitude of challenges. In the mining industry it is was cost effective way of saving finances; instead of draining water from the tunnels, an exercise that would have been costly and reduced revenue and the number of people mining companies could employ. The wellington therefore in it own minute way made sure that a lot more people were employed and at the same time it meant that a lot of families had food on their tables and their children could get a decent education. So the wellington was not just a shoe for financial expediency but it was also an ?institution? because it meant that a lot of money was saved and it was used for other purposes.

But this is not the only place were wellingtons have transformed lives. They have been used in hospitals as well. So their uses are various.

Another place were they have been used is the leisure and hunting industry. Its effectiveness is a fact that has made the willies an enduring part of a lot of people's lives from the mines of Southern Africa to the high streets of London. This is a tough shoe. It has survived fashion trends and has maintained its popularity. It has been a part of each and every generation since the 19th century.

It is excellent in all weather conditions. Whether the occasion is wet or dry people can enjoy the pleasures of a wellie. Also it is not gender specific so everyone can partake in this fascinating cultural product which is one of a kind that is, it is a truly global phenomenon.

What more can be said about this enduring icon of the fashion world besides saying that it should be added as one of the known wonders of the world and included in the United Nations list of world heritage articles.