IMPROVED LASTS 
FOR 
BOOTS AND SHOES; 
July 17. 1860, 
By J. C. PLUMER, M. D., Portland, Maine. 
"This invention has for its object the construction of Lasts for Bootsand 
Shoes in a novel manner, and in such a way that the entire bottom of the Last 
will correspond to the bony and ligamentous structure and conformation of sole 
back, and heel of the natural or normal foot, so that a shoe produced upon such 
a Last will prevent distortions and deformaties of the foot or joints of the foot, 
callosities upon the toes, etc., and relieve and correct them where they already 
exist. 
"The invention provides for pressing the plantar tissues or cushion of the 
hollow portion or groove in the arch of the foot, against the metatarsus, causing 
a separating or spreading effect laterally upon it, thereby preventing compress- 
ion of the anterior tarsal, metatarsal, or phalangeal bones. It also provides for 
affording a constringing support around and longitudinally to the arch and sides 
of the foot, at or under the astragalo and calaneo-tarsal articulation, or union of 
the bones of the heel with those of the arch of the foot. 
" It also provides, by the curved form of the bottom and back part of the heel 
of the last,-for an advanced position of the heel of the last, or heel seat of t 
last,-whereby the position of the boot heel is advanced nearer to the front 
part of the foot, the shank of the boot is shortened, and the point of support 
brought more directly under the line of the tibia, or bone of the leg, rendering a 
stiff, uncomfortable shank unnecessary. 
"The shape of the lasts that are at present made, produce in boots or shoes 
made on them, curves, elevations, and depressions that are contrary or antago- 
nistic to the natural conformation of the bony and ligamentous structure of the 
sole of the foot, which have a decided tendency to deform the foot, and the re- 
sults are manifested by the deformities, distortions, callosities, &c., that result 
from this malformation of the soles of boots and shoes that are at present worn. 
The surface of the inner sole is made concave where it should be convex, the 
heel seat, if there be any, is thrown back too far from the ball portion of the 
sole, and consequently the axis of the body is brought nearer to the articulation 
or joint of the anterior with the posterior portions of the tarsal bones, and the 
weight of the body over this point dislocates or stretches the bony and liga- 
mentous structure of the arch of the foot, and the chord of the arch is distended 
and the foot necessarily flattened, and its natural shape and functions seriously 
injured. 
Selections from the Specifications. 
1 2 
" This invention is intended to obviate these objections, and it consists firstly 
in making the under surface or sole of the last, laterally concave from the front 
of the heel to the toe of the last. 
" It further consists in curving the heel portion of the last in such a manner, 
that a rotundity will be formed corresponding to the posterior extremity of the 
os-calcis or heel bone, with its ligamentous attachments, which will give the 
heel an advanced position, diminish the length of the shank, and bring the 
point of support nearer to the line with the axis of the tibia and fibula, or bones 
of the leg, affording ease and giving antero-posterior support to. the heel of the 
foot, and supporting the foot to a great extent at the astragalo and calcaneo- 
tarsal articulation, as will be hereinafter described and represented. 
"It further consists in combination with the advanced heel seat in constrict- 
ing laterally, that portion of the last in the middle of the arch, corresponding to 
the fleshy portion surrounding the astragalo and calcaneo-tarsal articulation, 
making it conform and adapting it to this part so as to give a uniform pressure 
upwards and bi-laterally, as will be hereinafter described and represented." 
TESTIMONIALS. 
State Assayer's Office, I 
Portland, June 15, 1860. j 
To Dr. J. Plumer: 
My Dear Sir:-Several months since, while in the pursuit of my official du- 
ties, I had occasion to call at your office. While there, my attention was at- 
tracted to sundry diagrams which I saw, and on inquiring their meaning, you 
explained them, and developed to my understanding an invention of great nov- 
elty, and which promised to confer a boon long sought after, but until this nev- 
er discovered. This was no other than the Last as modified and improved by 
you, in accordance with an eminently philosophical principle. And when I 
came to comprehend the invention, it commended itself to my judgment as the 
only correct plan for the construction of a last, and the making of boots and 
shoes upon it. So thoroughly confident was I of its entire correctness, that I at 
once ordered a pair of lasts to be made upon the plan, as designed by you. And 
without awaiting the result of the experiment, I had my wife and her sister 
measured also for a pair of lasts each, making three several pairs. The shoes 
made upon these lasts were eminently satisfactory. In my own case they were 
worn with entire ease and comfort, during a recent journey to Washington, and 
during my stay there and at Baltimore, I walked several miles a day with less 
fatigue than I ever remember having experienced on walks of similar lengths 
lengths before. My wife wore her boots with the greatest comfort, and on tem- 
porarily returning to the old style of ladies' boots, was astonished at the differ- 
ence she found between the new and the old. Her sister, who had always been 
obliged to buy shoes several sizes too long in order to get those she could wear, 
at length got a boot which fitted her foot, and reduced it to genteel dimensions. 3 
In summing up the advantages of the last, or the shoes or boots made upon it, 
the following appear to me, evident from my own experience and observation : 
1. An accurate and easy fit. 
2. The lines of the last conforming to those bounding the skeleton of a well 
formed foot, must prevent deformities and appreciably correct them when pres- 
ent. 
3. The natural arches of the foot are properly supported, and their develop- 
ment is favored so as to produce a firm and elastic tread. 
4. The heel being provided with a hollow seat, where it is firmly set, the foot 
has not a tendency to slide forward in the shoe or boot, producing pressure up- 
on the nail of the great toe, and a liability to the painful disease known as "in- 
growing nail." 
5. No doubt exists in my own mind that some forms of lameness, dependent 
upon abnormal tension of the ligaments and tissues in the tarsal arch may be 
effectually relieved by wearing shoes made upon the last as improved by you. 
And further experience will no doubt develop further advantages. 
In conclusion I would say, that I have reason to believe that the principle 
suggested to your mind and followed out by careful and patient reasoning and 
experiment has now for the first time, been practically and fully devel- 
oped and applied. It consists, as I understand, in conforming the outline of 
the last to the contour of the osseous ligamentous tissues of a well formed and 
developed foot, bringing the point of support more directly in the long axis of 
the body and limbs, diminishing the amount of leather employed in a shoe to 
the minimum necessary, and conferring advantages which can be most sensibly 
appreciated by those who suffer from tender feet. 
That you may reap an abundant reward for your careful study and ingenuity 
is my earnest wish. 
Tours very cordially, 
H. T. CUMMINGS, M. D., 
Assayer to the State of Maine. 
Mr. D. Robinson, Jr 
Portland, June 15, 1800. 
I have worn with great satisfaction and comfort, the boots furnished by you, 
and made upon the "Patent Last." They were more comfortable to my feet 
time I put them on, than a nice pair of boots, made upon the common 
form of last, which I have been wearing for.several months. 
It seems to me that the invention of Dr. Plumer is as valuable as it is novel. 
Based upon principles entirely scientific, and applied in a manner quite original, 
I think his services to the public should be highly appreciated and in some way 
handsomely rewarded. Very truly yours, 
ISRAEL T. DANA, M. D. 
Portland, Nov. 24, I860. 
Dr. C. Plumer, 
Dear Sir:-I have been perusing your little book upon the "Mechanics' Me- 4 
chanical Anatomy, and Mechanical Distortions of the Bony Structure of the 
Human Foot."By the aid of such numerous and ingenious diagrams, you have 
made the exposition interesting, clear and conclusive. 
I think you cannot fail to reach the understandings of the people. 
You make your "Patent Last" do what the common last does not begin to 
do, viz. : correspond to the natural contour of the solid structure of the foot. Not- 
withstanding that my feet had so often ached in testimony to the fact that new 
boots even "made to order" upon the old last, would not fit, I would not have 
believed that the old form of last could be so faulty as the comparison of it with 
the new has demonstrated it to be. 
The principle of the "Patent Last" commends itself wholly to my judgment, 
and I believe it to be as novel as it is excellent. 
Boots and shoes made upon it are calculated to preserve the natural arches of 
the foot, upon which the facility of standing and walking largely depend, while 
the use of those made upon the old plan tends to break them down. I examined 
the foot of a gentleman yesterday, in whose case the arches had been thus de- 
stroyed, and who suffers greatly in consequence. He might have escaped this 
misfortune had your invention been made fifty years ago. It may do something 
now to correct the deformity. 
It makes the wearing of thick soles comfortable to ladies, who have heretofore 
rejected them to the great detriment of their health. 
Boots made upon your Last exert an equable pressure upon all parts of the foot, 
and so must tend to prevent the local congestions and tumefactions so common 
and so painful, and so often leading to results yet more unfortunate. 
A personal experience has fully realized high expectations on my part, and 
such is the universal testimony I have heard from others. 
Very truly yours, 
ISRAEL T. DANA, M. D. 
Mr. D. Robinson, Jr., 
Dear Sir:-I am happy to say that the boots made for me several weeks 
since at your establishment, on the "Patent Lasts" of Dr. Plumer, are the 
most comfortable I have ever worn. Yours truly, 
Portland, Oct. 5, 1860. 
S. FITCH, M. D. 
J. C. Plumer, M. D., 
Dear Sir:-It gives me pleasure to add my individual testimony to that of 
many friends and acquaintances, in regard to your "Patent Last." 
Many inventions, which theorize beautifully, fall lamentably short in the prac- 
tical application. This discovery is only exceeded in the breadth and strict 
truth of its scientific basis by the thoroughness and success of its practical ap- 
plication ; and, indeed, as in the old legend of Columbus and the egg, we only 
wonder that nobody did it before. 
It seems to me that a fail- trial of this last is all that is necessary to convince 
Portland, Nov. 23, 1860. 5 
the most skeptical of its immeasurable superiority to everything in this line that 
has preceded it. Truly yours, 
CHAS. W. THOMAS, M. D. 
Dear Doctor: 
Portland, Me., Nov. 23, 1860. 
Thank you for your pamphlet on the " mechanics of the human foot." The 
diagrams are, in a great measure, new to me, and they are very beautiful and 
very truthful. 
Anatomists have long admired the skeleton of the foot, and surgeons have 
carefully analyzed the principles of its construction and the relation of its parts 
in order, to remedy its frequent distortions and diseases induced by fashionable 
boots and shoes. 
But the idea of conforming the Last to the solid structure of the foot upon the 
principles of exact science (unquestionably originated by yourself) is destined 
to revolutionize completely the art of boot making and elevate it, if not to the 
rank of the fine arts, at least to that of the finest decorative arts.'! 
The important changes you have instituted in the construction of the Last, 
are calculated not only to avert the evils named above, but by preserving the 
integrity of the arches of the foot will eminently develop its beauty, strength, 
elasticity-and these results will induce many to walk much in the open air, 
who seldom walked before, especially the ladies, and thus an important means 
of health will become atti active, interesting, fashionable, and consequently uni- 
versal. 
I have had another pair of boots made on the " Patent lasts," and I shall 
probably never again habitually wear any other kind 
I formerly remembered my Edinburgh shoes with which I walked over the 
Highlands of Scotland as most comfortable, and the boots made for me in Paris 
as very beautiful, but those made upon the "Patent Lasts" are alone perfect, 
and with sentiments of real gratitude for the benefits of your invention, I re- 
main Yours very truly, S. FITCH, M. D. 
Dr. J. C. Plumer. 
Dear Doctor : 
Portland, Dec. 7, 1860. 
Permit me to give you my experience in the use of the " Patent Last." Since 
childhood I have suffered from weakness of the ankles, and flattening of the 
foot, much aggravated by a recent attack of rheumatism, that left the ligaments 
so sore as to render walking extremely painful, even in boots which I have 
worn so long as to fit them as perfectly to the feet as it is possible for boots 
made on the old last. In this condition I tried a pair of shoes constructed on 
the " Patent Last." I was able to walk in them with the utmost ease. The pe- 
culiar form of the sole and heel afforded that support to the plantar arch which 
it had always needed, and in a short time my feet were in a better condition 
than they had ever been before. 
I most cordially and gratefully acknowledge the benefit which I have received 6 
from their use, and shall take every possible occasion to recommend the " Pa- 
tent Last" to all who, from any cause, find it difficult to get well fitting and ea- 
sy boots, certain that, after a sufficient trial, they will agree with me in the be- 
lief that it is one of the most valuable and useful inventions of the times. I do 
not hesitate to predict that it will entirely supercede the use of the old last in no 
great length of time. Yours very truly, 
W. R. RICHARDSON, M. D., City Physician. 
J. C. Plumer, M. D. 
[From the Portland Transcript, Jan. 26, '61] 
Mr. Editor That you may grow cucumbers to a bottle, and oblige them 
to take the shape of the bottle, everybody knows or ought to know. That the 
human foot may be transformed in the same way, and be made to take upon 
itself any shape, according to the whim of a shoemaker, ought also to be known, 
and the sooner the better ; lest God's handy work be utterly spoiled by little 
and little, before the sufferers get their eyes open, or the understandings enlight- 
ened enough to see or feel the truth. 
Having tried the new last of Dr. Plumer, and worn the boots long enough to 
be able to speak without any serious misgiving, allow me to say, as a matter of 
duty, and of my own free will, without solicitation, that I look upon the inven- 
tion as among the most truly scientific and comfortable, and promising of our 
age. Of course improvements may still be made, and if this were a proper time 
I might suggest one or two, as General Jackson did a new system of banking 
when heartily sick of the old, but as they would not effect the principles involV 
ed, and relate only to their application, there is no need of waiting till no further 
improvement can be hoped for, as some do. J. NEAL. 
[From the Boston Courier, Feb, 6, '61.] 
Easy Boots and Shoes.-Some weeks since we called the attention of our 
readers to a very ingenious application of the principles of anatomy to the man- 
ufacture of boots and shoes, made by Dr. Plumer, of Portland. At that time, 
although we could not but be convinced of the simplicity and correctness of the 
principle upon which Dr. Plumer's lasts are constructed, we had not the practi- 
cal experience which now enables us to say that boots made upon them more 
than fulfill all that their ingenious inventor promises ; they are as easy from 
the first day "as an old shoe," being at the same time in no way less elegant 
and tasteful to appearance than the old instruments of torture which are so fre- 
quently flung away with execrations both loud and deep. A number of ladies 
and gentlemen of our acquaintance have availed themselves of the invention of 
Dr. Plumer, and are unanimous in its praise. It meets with the approval of our 
best surgeons and physicians, and cannot fail of immediate adoption, wherever 
it is properly made known. We extract the following from the Boston Medical 
and Surgical Journal of the 31st ult. : 
A '"Sensible Shoe.-We have often heard old people, who have outlived their vanity, talk 
about " sensible shoes," by which phrase they intended to convey the idea of long, wide, leath- 
er receptacles, too large for the feet. This view being too repulsive to the minds of those who 
had more aesthetic ideas, has not been generally adopted. Unfortunately, the latter have for- 
gotten the danger of forming a shoe upon the principles which guide them in the construction 
of a bonnet. To vary the shape, as is constantly done, without regard to the confirmation of 
the foot, is sure to be followed by deformity and all its attendant sufferings 7 
Dr. Plumer, of Portland, has designed a last upon what, the most skeptical will allow, is, at 
least a correct principle. He has taken the foot itself as a model, and given it support where 
the latter is most needed, and avoided pressure which could only be injurious. The principle 
improvemehts are in the shape of the sole, and the position of the heel, and we feel porsuaded 
that the adoption of them would add much to the comfort of those who 
" Sow in suffering what they reap in corns." 
To Dr. John C. Plumer, 
Bear Sir:-After wearing two pairs of the anatomical boots, made upon your 
" Patent Lasts," long enough to satisfy myself that the principles are safe and 
reliable, though improvements may be made in the application or manufacture, 
I answer without hesitation that I regard your " Patent Last" as one of the best 
inventions of our day. Yours with respect, JOHN NEAL. 
P rtland, Dec. 21, 1861 
Roxbury. Sept. 18th, 1860. 
D. Robinson, Jr. & Co., 
Gentlemen:-I am very much pleased with the shoes I had made for myself 
and my son, from Dr. Plumer's " Patent Last," and I propose to send for more 
soon. Your obedient servant, D. G. HASKINS. 
[From Professor Packard, Bowdoin College.] 
Brunswick, Nov. 5, 1860. 
Messrs. E. Shaw & Co., 
Gentlemen:-The shoes were received, and prvoved, an excellent fit. I never 
had new shoes so comfortable, and judge the "Patent Last" is the one for me. 
Respectfully yours, 
A. S. PACKARD. 
South Bend, (Ind.,) Feb. 1G, 1861, 
D. Robinson & Co., Portland, Me. 
Gentlemen:-Having for a week past worn the boots made for me upon the 
" Patent Last" invented by J. C. Plumer, M. D , I feel qualified to report con- 
cerning them. 
I have heretofore had much difficulty in finding boots which would suit my 
feet, and have usually been obliged, for the sake of ease, to select those which 
were considerably larger than necessary. From the closeness and neatness of 
the fit in the pair you made, I was apprehensive of a similar difficulty ; but to 
my gratification, I have found that they do not in the least cramp the foot in 
walking. The first thing which struck me.was the greater firmness and securi- 
ty given to the tread by the position of the heel; the next, the support which 
the ball of the foot receives, and the free play allowed to the muscles of the toes. 
These peculiarities give the boot an advantage for pedestrian exercise over all 
others with which I am acquainted. 
There is no part of our clothing in which a reform is more needed, and I hope 
that your success may partly falsify the classic proverb, and prove that the shoe 
maker may at least go beyond his old-fashioned, last. 
Respectfully yours, 
BAYARD TAYLOR. 8 
Dr. Plumer, 
Boston, Feb. 6th, 1861. 
Dear Sir:-Having lately had our attention called to your circular, contain- 
ing an exposition of the scientific principles upon which your novel and ingen- 
ious Anatomical Last is constructed, our interest has been somewhat enlisted in 
favor of the successful introduction of its merits to the public. We deem it an 
invention, the adoption of which is highly commendable to all, believing it a 
most excellent method of properly adjusting the shape of the shoe to the ana- 
tomical structure of the foot, thereby preventing. and correcting the various 
distortions to which that organ is inevitably liable, from the use of boots and 
shoes made upon the common shoemaker's last. Assured of the concurrence of 
the views and wishes of the rest of our fellow students, and hoping it may meet 
your pleasure and convenience, we would be much gratified to have you make 
a practical demonstration of the subject before the Harvard Medical Class. 
Yours truly, 
W. E. Hayden, Ky. ; 
D. K. Warren, Wis.; 
T. S. Floyd, N. H. ; 
S. A. Jenkins, N. Y. ; 
L. D. Packard, Mass.; 
G. P. Pratt, Mass. ; 
W. L. Bond, Mass. ; 
0. C. Turner, Mass. 
J. C. Plumer, M. D 
New York, Feb. 23, 1861. 
Dr. Plumer, 
Dear Sir:-Xa concurrence with the above, the undersigned, members of the 
Medical Class of the Medical Department of the University of New York, re- 
quest you to give them a practical demonstration of the principles involved in 
the construction of your improved "Shoemaker's Last." 
J. T. Warner, N. Y. ; 
W. F. Smith, Va. ; 
D. W. Ballentine, Pa.; 
Alex. Harvy, Ca. W.; 
G.H Robertson, Tenn.; 
Wm. A. Johnson, Tex.; 
L. 0. Gentry, N. C.; 
0. M. Pray, Brooklyn ; 
X. Matison, N. Y. ; 
A. D. Smith, Ga. ; 
C. A. Passmore, N. Y. ; 
A. C. L. Hindsman, Ga.: 
Dr. Plumer, 
New York, Feb. 23, 1861. 
Dear Sir:-The undersigned, members of the Medical Class of the College of 
Physicians and Surgeons of the Medical Department of Columbia College, 
would be gratified to have a practical demonstration of the scientific principles 
upon which your " Patent Last " is constructed. 
B.B. Brashear, A.M.,0. 
S. N. Brayton, Mass.; 
E. S. Carew, Ala. ; 
F. G. D'Utassy, N. S. ; 
Albert Fairfax, Va. ; 
A. Me I. Gregory, N. J.; 
A. A. McClure, Nassau; 
J. W. Robie, N. H. ; 
N.Smith, Jr., A.M..N.Y. 
G. R. Wells, M. D..Wis. 
Dr. Plumer, 
Philadelphia, Feb. 28, 1861. 
Dear Sir:-The subscribers, members of the Class of 1860-61 of the Jefferson 
Medical College, request you to give them a demonstration of the principles in- 
volved in your improvement in the construction of Boots and Shoes. 
M. H. Picot, Phil., Pa.; 
W. W. Keen, Jr., Phil.; 
C. Hanger, Mo. ; 
A. J. Herr, Penn. ; 
L. H. Pease, Conn.; 
L. W. Alger. Mass. ; 
L. K. Baldwin, Dela. ; 
I. II. Simpson, N. C. ; 
L. A. Wailes, Miss. ; 
W. F. Woolsey, Penn.; 
I. S. Best, III. ; 
M. A. Brown, Mo. ; 
A. P. Snow, M. D., Mo.