William M. Scholl (June 22, 1882 – March 29, 1968) was a pioneer of foot care and the founder of

Dr. Scholl's Dr. Scholl's is a footwear and orthopedic foot care brand originating in the United States, marketed in some countries as simply Scholl. Since 2021, global rights to the brand have been owned by investment firm Yellow Wood Partners through su ...

, a brand of foot care products.

Early life and career

William Mathias Scholl was born in La Porte, Indiana as one of 13 children. He studied medicine at Loyola University Chicago. During his studies, while working in a shoe store in the evenings, he became interested in

podiatry Podiatry () or podiatric medicine () is a branch of medicine devoted to the study, diagnosis, medical and surgical treatment of disorders of the foot, ankle, and leg. A Doctor of Podiatric Medicine (DPM), or a podiatrist, is a healthcare ...

. In 1904 he invented and patented an arch support and founded the company

to sell it. He was joined by his brother Frank who directed the company's overseas business, establishing Scholl Manufacturing Company, Ltd. in

London London is the capital and List of urban areas in the United Kingdom, largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary dow ...

in 1910. He graduated from the

Chicago Medical School The Chicago Medical School (CMS) is a medical school located in North Chicago, Illinois, United States. It is one of the graduate schools of Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science (RFUMS). It was founded in 1912 and obtained app ...

in 1922. He went on to develop more than 1,000 foot aids. These included a silver clip designed in 1946 to treat ingrown toenails. While too soft to have much of a corrective effect and difficult to apply, it inspired later steel clip designs. Scholl practiced medicine in

Chicago (''City in a Garden''); I Will , image_map = , map_caption = Interactive Map of Chicago , coordinates = , coordinates_footnotes = , subdivision_type = Country , subdivision_name ...

from 1905 until 1946 while also directing his company. He bought a building and added to it for manufacturing in Chicago at 213 W. Schiller Street (now renovated as Cobbler Square). By 1918 he employed over 300 leather cutters, press operators, machinists, packers and shippers. He continued to serve as the company's President and

chief executive officer A chief executive officer (CEO), also known as a central executive officer (CEO), chief administrator officer (CAO) or just chief executive (CE), is one of a number of corporate executives charged with the management of an organization especial ...

until March 1968, when he was elected Chairman of the Board. He worked in that capacity until his death. Advert for Dr Scholl's Foot Powder Wellcome L0040545

Advert for Dr Scholl's Foot Powder Wellcome L0040545

Dr. Scholl was also famous for his advertising acumen, direct marketing to shoe stores, and establishment of "Foot Comfort Week."

Legacy

He left the bulk of his estate to the Dr. Scholl Foundation which he had established in 1947."History of the Dr. Scholl Foundation"
''drschollfoundation.org'' The Foundation has awarded over $224 million since 1980.The Foundation funded the Dr. William M. Scholl Center for American History and Culture at the Newberry Library from 1971-2017. It was a primary funder of the ''Encyclopedia of Chicago.'' Pamela Scholl, President of the Dr. Scholl Foundation since 1994, was highlighted by the Trust for the National Mall.

Personal life

Scholl never married. He was characterized as quirky, carrying the skeleton of a foot in his pocket. He attributed his success to the motto, "early to bed, early to rise, work like hell and advertise." His brother Frank, who had helped set up the original company, had sons who were involved in the company and foot care. Most notable was his nephew, William Scholl, who designed a wooden sandal.Honan, W. H. (2002). "William Scholl, 81, designer of a sandal that set a trend." ''The New York Times'', 52066, 16.

Selected publications

* ''The Human Foot: Anatomy, Physiology, Mechanics, Deformities and Treatment'' (1915) * ''Practipedics: The Science of Giving Foot Comfort and Correcting the Cause of Foot and Shoe Troubles'' (1917) * ''Treatment and Care of the Feet'' (1930) * ''Podology: Based on the Experience, Inventions, Foot Comfort System and Methods of Dr. William M. Scholl'' (1932)

References

External links

Dr. Scholl's brand of foot care products

Scholl brand of Footwear products
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Dr. Scholl's brand of footwear (US)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Scholl, William People from La Porte, Indiana American podiatrists American health care businesspeople Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science faculty 1882 births 1968 deaths