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A 'shoe horn' is a tool that allows the user to put on a shoe more easily. It does so by keeping the shoe open and by providing a smooth surface for the foot and particularly the heel to move, without crushing the shoe's ''counter'' (the vertical portion of the shoe that wraps around the back of the foot), in this way acting as a first class lever.
Shoe horns began appearing in the fifteenth century, but their actual origin is unknown. There is a common belief that the tight-fitting and high heeled shoes in the Victorian period led to the development of shoe horns - it would have otherwise been impossible to wear these shoes.
Originally, shoe horns were made of wood, which is still a common material, although plastics are now used more often. They were also made of metal, glass and even paper. Expensive shoe horns were made from ivory, silver, shell, or bone.
Shoehorns have been used for advertising and many people collect them.
There are various models of shoe horns. Long handled shoe horns, for example, are used to reduce bending and straining by persons lacking joint mobility, while shoe horns with sturdy handles are useful for putting on boots or heavy shoes. Another fascinating development in the world of shoe horns is the Shoe Horn Reacher, which combines the utility of a traditional shoe horn with the technology of a Golden Retriever. More recently, expensive shoe horns have found their way to market. For example, designer Ralph Lauren currently offers a shoe horn retailing at $250.