Since 1960, Doc Martens have been a popular brand of shoes among the working class and young people worldwide. The famous shoe design got its start in 1945, when Doctor Klaus Maertens got into a skiing accident while vacationing in the Bavarian Alps. He injured his foot and wanted to develop a piece of footwear that would increase his ability to walk until his injuries healed.

Dr. Maerten came up with a shoe design that had an air cushioned sole. He used rubber tires to construct the soles of the shoes, which had air trapped inside. Dr. Maerten's prototype became the first air-cushioned sole. This design has since become very popular in the construction of modern shoes.

After showing his prototype to an inventor friend, Dr. Herbert Funck, the two decided to create their own footwear based on the design. The shoes that they created were to be called Dr. Maerten's. However, the two men had a difficult time selling their idea, as many shoe manufacturers saw the air-cushioned sole as a gimmick that wouldn't last. After many rejections, an English company by the name of R. Griggs decided to give the Dr. Maertens a try. On April 1, 1960, the first Doc Marten boot was produced.

The first Doc Marten boot was the 1460, a model that continues to be a best-seller today. The shoe was a favorite among the working class, postal workers, and police officers, and later developed a following among youths. The Doc Marten 1460 became a symbol of individuality, and was adopted by a variety of subcultures around the world, including punks, ska fans, goths, and grunge youth.