Program documents shoe craftsman Eugen Brütting's 'Roadrunner' shoe production
SWR's program 'Handwerkskunst' details the manufacturing process of Eugen Brütting's classic 'Roadrunner' running shoes. Originally designed for sport, the shoe has evolved into a popular sneaker.
PRISMA-Verlag is highlighting the SWR program "Handwerkskunst – Wie man einen klassischen Laufschuh macht" (Craftsmanship – How to Make a Classic Running Shoe), which focuses on the creation of shoes by Eugen Brütting, a shoemaker from Oberfranken. The program, available on the SWR RLP Mediathek, specifically examines the production of Brütting's "Roadrunner" model, developed in the late 1960s with New Zealand running coach Arthur Lydiard.
The original "Roadrunner" shoe was known for its distinctive three-layer rubber midsole, providing significant cushioning on hard surfaces. This feature made it a favored choice for athletes like discus thrower Liesel Westermann and Olympic race walker Bernd Kannenberg, who won gold in the 50km walk in 1972 wearing the shoes. The footwear was largely produced by hand.
Today, the "Roadrunner" shoe continues to be worn, though it is now more commonly seen as a sneaker for everyday use rather than for athletic purposes. The program showcases the traditional shoemaking craft and the manual process behind creating durable footwear.
This broadcast is part of the SWR RLP "Handwerkskunst" series, which explores various traditional crafts and professions. Previous episodes have covered topics such as roof drainage systems, watchmaking, and the construction of box-spring beds.