Dr. Martens is a footwear, clothing and accessories brand, and the footwear products are most often known as Doc Martens, Docs or DMs.

The footwear is distinct because of its air-cushioned sole (dubbed Bouncing Soles), developed by Dr. Klaus Mrtens of Germany.

The boots and shoes have been especially popular among skinheads, punks, grungers and members of a few other youth subcultures.

Klaus Mrtens was a doctor in the German army during World War II.

While on leave in 1945, he injured his ankle while skiing in the Bavarian Alps.

He found that his standard-issue army boots were too uncomfortable on his injured foot.

While recuperating, he designed improvements to the boots, with soft leather, and air-padded soles.

When the war ended and some Germans looted valuables from their own cities, Mrtens took leather from a cobbler's shop.

With that leather he made himself a pair of boots with air-cushioned soles.

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