Hi All,

Does anyone have any information on when hooks for rubber boots were
introduced?  The kind I mean consist of a metal hook with a series of
rectangular holes in it, and the other side of the hook has a metal tongue
that goes through one of the rectangular holes and folds over, locking and
tightening the hook. There is plenty of info on shoes and boots, but nothing
is usually mentioned about the hardware.  Sometime ago I was trying to find
info on the hooks found on work and hiking boots that I call speed hooks or
speed laces - but nothing!
Thanks,
Lee Cranmer
Historical Archaeologist
Maine Historic Preservation Commission