Our Story
From one woman's innovative idea to over 30 million pairs of slippers a year later, Dearfoams remains a legacy brand that gives you the comfort of home anywhere and anytime.
1945
Florence Zacks Melton, Columbus,
OH, inventor and entrepreneur,
created detachable shoulder pads
for women's military-style fashions of the time.
1947
Florence Melton visited the Firestone
Tire and Rubber Co. in Akron, OH, to
research new materials for her
shoulder pads. There, she found
foam latex, a material that was
developed during WWII. Florence
decided that the material would be
best used in footwear, not shoulder
pads, and she created her first
slipper prototype.
1948
Dearfoams introduces the world's
first foam-cushioned, washable
slipper. It is an immediate hit in the
notions area of department stores.
1958
Dearfoams moves slippers from notions departments to first floor hosiery departments, launching what will evolve into the accessory footwear category.
1979
Net sales top $100 million mark for the first time.
1980
Dearfoams Warm-Up Boots become one of the top-selling holiday gift items in U.S. department store history.
1997
Dearfoams celebrates its 50th anniversary and is named Wal-Mart Stores International Soft Lines Vendor of the Year.
TODAY
70 years and a billion pairs later, people still love the exceptional comfort, style and quality provided by every pair of Dearfoams.