L. Candee & Co. and the U.S. Rubber Shoe Industry

Abstract

The rubber shoe industry was a large and thriving industry in the 19th century. Research on this industry provides insight about technology development, the entrepreneurial spirit, the rise of industry, challenges with intellectual property rights, and efforts made to maintain market dominance in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This research examines L. Candee & Company which was one of the early rubber shoe manufacturers in the United States. A case study of this company parallels the story of the growth and decline of the rubber shoe industry. Early investment in this industry required great risk. Once established, the industry thrived and grew into a highly profitable industry. In the early 20th century, the rubber shoe industry began to decline as new technology and products were developed.