From Architectural Innovations to World War I: The Diverse Experiences of 1915

In the spring of 1915, 15-year-old Carl Birkenstock had just completed his schooling and harbored dreams of becoming an architect. However, his family’s legacy as shoemakers, which had been passed down from generation to generation since the 18th century, seemed to dictate his future. The eldest of his siblings, Carl joined his father Konrad’s workshop in Friedberg, a town located about thirty kilometers north of Frankfurt. The Birkenstock family had moved there shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, returning to the hometown of Elisabeth, their mother.

Konrad specialized in creating metal-free orthopedic insoles that were remarkably flexible and comfortable, which he called the “fussbett” or “foot bed.” This innovation marked a small revolution in the industry. Meanwhile, on a different continent, Singapore was developing a battle plan to combat influenza, focusing on understanding vaccination protocols. In Turkey, Serap Ozcelik Arapoglu led her team to victory in Gaziantep, as reported by Sporcu Gazetesi.

While some individuals were busy with international events and achievements, others encountered more mundane issues such as certificate verification problems or browsing travel sites like Travel80 to determine the cost of living in Copenhagen. The diversity of experiences and interests highlighted the vast range of activities and concerns occupying people’s lives in different parts of the world.