You Are Here: Pages ›› Home Kids Flip Flops by Giant Strides The
use of the word flip-flop for thong sandals is a modern term
dating from the 1960’s that describes what is probably the
oldest form of footwear still being worn. Flip flops have been
around for at least six thousand years. The oldest surviving
examples of thongs were made from papyrus leaves circa 1,500
B.C., which are on display in the British Museum. Given their
long history, flip flops up to now have changed relatively
little from ancient times. Flip flops have now become part of
the fashion landscape as much as trainers, jeans and t-shirts. A
large push of the conversion of flip flops into everyday life
came from Havaianas, the major Brazilian producer. For over
three decades, Havaianas were $3 Brazilian flip-flops of
synthetic rubber that were the footwear of Sao Paulo peasants,
housekeepers, dockworkers and other poor people. Like blue jeans
in the United States, at one time worn primarily as working
class clothing for miners and laborers,