The idea and the first patent

During a business trip to Reno, Nevada to promote the family’s wine business at a trade fair, Mario Moretti Polegato decides to take a walk. Bothered by his overheated feet which were clad in rubber-soled shoes, he instinctively punctured holes into the soles to let air through. He had just discovered a simple and effective way to let excess heat out of his shoes.

Mr. Polegato then developed his idea in the workshop of a small footwear company owned by the family. Once this rubber-sole technology was in place he patented the system right away to create the world’s first “breathable shoe”.