There were also Root Shoes, which actually looked a bit better, and came in black, which made it possible for me to wear them when I worked on the railroad--they were good if you were on your feet for long periods of time(only 12 hours, not 36! How did you do it, Mark?) though I don't really quite understand why--since they were based on what, on reflections, seems a false premise--

"What's an Earth Shoe?" Thanks for making me feel old, Si!