Brand intelligence
Dr. Martens
Dr. Martens is a British footwear brand launched on 1 April 1960 with the 1460 boot. Its product history began earlier, when German doctor Klaus Märtens developed an air-cushioned sole after the Second World War and built a business with Herbert Funck. The R. Griggs Group licensed and adapted the construction for British workwear, adding the yellow welt stitch, grooved sole and AirWair identity. The boot later moved through music and youth subcultures into a global footwear business. Dr. Martens plc is the listed reporting entity; consolidated company results can be shown at that scope, while retailer sell-through and product-level estimates are not substituted for audited revenue.
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Founded
- 1960
- Founder
- Klaus Märtens
- Ownership
- Dr. Martens plc
- Revenue scope
- Consolidated Dr. Martens plc
- Documented milestones
- 6
- Klaus Märtens — Air-Cushioned Sole Inventor1945–End not documented · footwear · historical · Dr. Martens
- Herbert Funck — Co-Developer and Business Partner1947–Present · product · current · Dr. Martens
- Bill Griggs — British Product Developer1959–Present · footwear · current · Dr. Martens
- 1945 — Air-cushioned ideaKlaus Märtens develops a softer sole while recovering from injury.
- 1947 — Märtens and Funck partnershipThe two begin producing footwear in Germany.
- 1959 — British licenceR. Griggs Group secures the rights to manufacture the sole.
- 1960 — 1460 launchedThe eight-eye boot debuts on 1 April.
- 2003 — Production transitionMost manufacturing moves from the original UK factory.
- 2021 — London listingDr. Martens plc becomes a public company.