From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Vibram
Vibram
Vibram S.p.A. excellent traction on the widest range of surfaces, have
a high degree of abrasion resistance and was made using
the latest vulcanized rubber of the time.
In 1954, the first successful ascent to the summit of K2
was made by an Italian expedition wearing Vibram rub-
ber on their soles.
Products
Type Private
Today, Vibram soles are manufactured in Brazil, China,
Italy and the United States, and are used by more than
Industry Footwear 1,000 footwear manufacturers in their footwear prod-
Founded 1937 ucts.
Vibram is well known for pioneering the barefoot
Headquarters Albizzate, Italy running movement with the FiveFingers line of shoes
Products Rubber soles, footwear, disc golf discs that mimic the look and mechanics of being barefoot.
In the United States, Vibram soling products are
Website http://www.vibram.com/
manufactured under exclusive license by Quabaug Cor-
poration of North Brookfield, Massachusetts.
Vibram S.p.A. is an Italian company based in Albizzate
Although the brand is best known among the outdoor
that both manufactures and licenses the production of
and mountaineering community, Vibram produces nu-
Vibram-branded rubber outsoles for footwear. The com-
merous models of soles specifically designed for fashion,
pany is named after its founder, Vitale Bramani.[1] Bra-
military, rescue, law enforcement or industrial use. Vi-
mani is credited with inventing the first rubber lug soles
bram also produces soles for the sole purpose of footwear
for shoes. These soles were first used on mountaineering
resoling.
boots, replacing leather soles fitted with hobnails or steel
Vibram also produces a line of disc golf discs. They
cleats, commonly used up until then.
have released several putters and fairway drivers. Vi-
The soles produced by Vibram are called Vibram
bram’s X-Link Compound is the first rubber based mater-
soles, Vibram rubber, or simply Vibram.
ial to be used in a golf disc.[3]
History See also
• FiveFingers
References
[1] Vitale Bramani — born 1900 in Milan, Italy; died
1970. http://caisem.org/pdf/120Passi_W.pdf
Retrieved 2011-11-03
Detail of original Vibram "Carrarmato" lug sole design with [2] "Inventor of the Week: Archive". Web.mit.edu.
yellow Vibram emblem http://web.mit.edu/invent/iow/bramani.html.
Retrieved 2010-06-14.
In 1935, the deaths of six of Bramani’s mountaineering [3] "Vibram Disc Golf".
friends in the Italian Alps was partly blamed on inade- http://www.vibramdiscgolf.com/discs.html.
quate footwear. The tragedy drove Bramani to develop
a new climbing sole.[2] Two years later, he patented his External links
invention and launched the first rubber lug soles on the
market with a tread design called the "Carrarmato" (~ • www.vibram.com — Vibram company site
"tank tread"), with the financial backing of Leopoldo • www.vibram.us — Quabaug Corporation’s U.S.
Pirelli of Pirelli Tires. The sole was designed to provide Vibram site
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Vibram
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vibram&oldid=473122444"
Categories:
• Sporting goods manufacturers of Italy
• Italian inventions
• Companies established in 1937
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