Last updated on July 29th, 2023
Shoes
75. Unless someone is practicing the art of “grounding,” they will need walking shoes. The average walking shoe contains approximately 23 separate components, including the upper, midsole, outsole, laces, eyelets, and various supportive and cushioning elements.[76]
76. The average walking shoe weighs between 184g and 368g, balancing durability and lightweight comfort. The lighter weight helps reduce fatigue during long walks while providing adequate foot support and protection.[77]
77. New Balance introduced the first mass-produced walking/running shoe in 1961. It featured a ripple sole designed to provide better traction and shock absorption, making it a breakthrough in walking shoe technology innovation.[78]
78. The walking shoe industry was valued at $109 billion globally in 2020, with steady growth projected in the coming years.[79]
79. A typical pair of athletic shoes is designed to endure approximately 500 miles of walking before showing signs of significant wear and tear.[80]
Walking Sticks
80. The use of walking sticks dates back thousands of years, with evidence of their existence in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. Archaeologists have discovered walking sticks dating as far back as 4,000 BCE, showcasing their longstanding history as a mobility aid.[81]
81. Dalmacio Fernández Heras holds the Guinness World Record for the tallest walking stick from Saldaña, Palencia, Spain. His walking stick measures an astonishing 6.16 m (20 ft 2.52 in). This towering walking stick surpasses the average height of a giraffe![82]
82. Walking sticks, also known as hiking poles or trekking poles, offer stability and support during outdoor activities. Research suggests that using walking sticks while hiking or walking downhill can reduce the load on the knees by up to 25%, providing added joint protection and minimizing fatigue.[83]
83. The “Jo,” a Japanese martial arts weapon, is a wooden staff traditionally measuring around 4.2 feet in length. It is used in disciplines such as Aikido and Judo and serves both as a walking aid and a defensive weapon.[84]
84. The Walking Stick Cactus (Ferocactus) is a genus of cacti known for its distinctive columnar shape and spiny exterior. Some species of Walking Stick Cacti can reach heights of 20 feet, resembling towering walking sticks in the desert landscape.[85]
85. Another walking stick found in nature is the Walking Stick Insect, also known as a stick bug or phasmid, which is a master of camouflage. These fascinating creatures resemble twigs or branches. Some species of walking sticks can grow up to 12 inches (30 centimeters) long.[86]
86. The International Cane Collectors Society (ICCS) has over 700 members worldwide who share a passion for collecting and studying walking sticks, canes, and related artifacts. [87]
87. A “swagger stick” is a short stick or cane typically carried by military officers as a symbol of authority and rank. These sticks, usually around 24 inches (61 centimeters) in length, were primarily used for ceremonial purposes rather than for walking support.[88]
88. The Walking Stick Palm (Linospadix monostachya), also known as the Walking Stick Bamboo Palm, is a species of palm tree native to Australia. It is named after its thin, tall trunk, resembling a walking stick. This palm species can reach heights of up to 3 meters.[89]
In Politics
89. People have been walking in protest for around 120 years. The first protest march in Washington, D.C., was organized by a ragtag band of individuals. This historic event unfolded on May 1, 1894, “Coxey’s Army” converged upon the U.S. Capitol. Their noble cause was to voice their concerns and protest against income inequality.[90]
90. The Salt March, also known as the Salt Satyagraha occurred in British India from March 12 to April 6, 1930. Led by Mahatma Gandhi, thousands of Indians participated in a nonviolent protest against the British salt monopoly. The march involved a 240-mile journey to the Arabian Sea.[91]
91. Perhaps the most famous war march was the Bataan Death March, which occurred from April 9 to 17, 1942. It was a forced march of approximately 75,000 Filipino and American prisoners of war by Japanese forces during World War II. The prisoners were subjected to brutal treatment, starvation, and extreme physical exertion during the march, which covered around 65 miles (105 kilometers).[92]
92. The Long Walk, also known as the Navajo Long Walk or the Long Walk of the Navajo, took place in 1864 during the American Indian Wars. The United States government forced approximately 8,000 Navajo people to march over 300 miles.[93]
93. On February 11, 1990, Nelson Mandela took a historic step towards freedom when he was released from Victor Verster Prison in South Africa. After spending 27 years behind bars for his anti-apartheid activism, his first steps completed his “Long Walk to Freedom.”[94]
94. In 2019, the annual New York City Pride March, one of the largest LGBTQ+ events in the world, attracted a record-breaking 5 million participants and spectators. People from diverse backgrounds and identities came together, walking along the vibrant parade route, celebrating love, equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.[95]
95. In 1963, the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom brought together approximately 250,000 people who walked from the Washington Monument to the Lincoln Memorial. The march, led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., called for civil rights and economic equality for African Americans.[96]
96. The International March of the Living was established in 1994 to commemorate the Holocaust. Every year, thousands of participants, including survivors, walk the 3.2-kilometer (2-mile) distance from Auschwitz to Birkenau in Poland.[97]
Weird and Wacky
97. The art of walking on stilts, also known as stilt walking, has a long history dating back to around 3,500 years ago, with evidence of its practice in ancient civilizations such as Egypt, China, and Greece.[98]
98. Stilts come in various sizes, with the tallest reaching up to 2.5 meters.[99]
99. The tallest pair of stilts ever used for walking measured over 50 feet (15 meters) in height and were used in a parade in the United States.[100]
100. Ashrita Furman from the United States holds the extraordinary record for the highest vertical height walked on stilts. With an astonishing feat, he reached an impressive elevation of 1,224.68 meters (4,018 feet).[101]
101. The average human hand is approximately 7.6 inches (19.3 centimeters) in length from the tip of the middle finger to the wrist. This means that hand-walking requires exceptional upper-body strength, balance, and coordination.[102]
102. Gyan Dev, a talented individual from Kota, Rajasthan, India, holds the impressive World Record for the longest performance of a handstand walk in one minute. During this extraordinary feat, he covered a distance of 47 meters and 55 centimeters.[103]
103. The record for the fastest 50-meter handstand walk is 16.93 seconds, achieved by Mark Kenny of Norwood, Massachusetts, USA.[104]
104. The practice of rope walking dates back to ancient times, with evidence of its existence traced as far back as AD 79.[105]
105. Nathan Paulin, an awe-inspiring tightrope walker, undertook the longest tightrope walk ever recorded, spanning a staggering distance of 2,200 meters. Starting from a crane and reaching the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel in Normandy, France.[106]
106. The Wallenda family troupe is arguably the most famous tightrope-walking family. They have a remarkable legacy in the circus world that spans almost two centuries. Known as the Flying Wallendas, they have been captivating audiences for years.[107]
Stairs
107. Climbing stairs can provide a high-intensity workout, raising the heart rate and promoting fat burning. The average person burns approximately 0.17 calories per step while walking up stairs.[108]
108. The world record for the fastest vertical ascent of a 100-story building is 11 minutes 23.8 seconds, achieved by Dennis W. Martz in the Detroit Plaza Hotel, Detroit, Michigan, USA, in 1978.[109]
109. Switzerland is home to the world’s tallest outdoor staircase. It has 11,674 steps, reaching an elevation of 8,845 feet (2,696 meters), and is located at Niesen Mountain.[110]
110. The Bramante Staircase, located in the Vatican Museum in Vatican City, is one of the most famous staircases globally, not for being walked but for being photographed. Renowned for its mesmerizing design resembling a snail, this remarkable structure was constructed in 1932 by Giuseppe Momo.[111]
111. Archaeological excavations of ancient settlements, including Mohenjo Daro in Pakistan, have unearthed evidence of stairs integrated into the architectural structures. These stairs are believed to have been constructed around 2,500 BCE.[112]
112. An intriguing fact reveals that the oldest wooden staircase in Europe can be found at Salzwelten Hallstatt. Remarkably, this staircase has an age of nearly 3,400 years, adding to its historical significance.[113]
113. The steep staircases of Angkor Wat are considered the most dangerous staircases in the world. Each step measures a mere 20 centimeters in width. These staircases boast an impressive inclination of 70 degrees, making them quite challenging to ascend and descend.[114]
Movies
114. Staircases are also a popular feature in movies. “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” (2001) – Hogwarts Castle, the magical school in the Harry Potter series, is known for its grand staircases that shift and change direction as the characters move between different floors and towers.[115]
115. Another famous set of stairs is shown in the training montage in the classic sports film “Rocky”(1976), where Rocky Balboa triumphantly runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art, symbolizing his determination and underdog spirit.[116]
116. “Wild” (2014) is a famous movie about walking as is based on the memoir by Cheryl Strayed. The film follows Strayed, played by Reese Witherspoon, as she embarks on a solo hike along the Pacific Crest Trail, overcoming personal challenges and finding solace.[117]
117. The film “The Way” (2010), directed by Emilio Estevez, tells the story of a father who walks the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in honor of his late son. The emotional journey explores themes of grief, self-discovery, and the transformative power of walking.[118]
Music
118. “Stairway to Heaven” is widely regarded as one of the greatest rock songs ever and has become an enduring classic in the rock music genre. British rock band Led Zeppelin released it in 1971.[119]
119. In 1991, the song “Walking in Memphis” achieved notable success by reaching the 13th position on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. This accomplishment marked Marc Cohn’s sole entry into the top-forty hits on the chart, solidifying the song’s significance within his musical career.[120]
120. The song “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles, released in 1986, topped the charts worldwide. Its catchy tune and danceable rhythm encouraged listeners to imitate the distinctive arm and hand movements associated with Egyptian hieroglyphics.[121]
121. A popular song about walking is “Walking on Sunshine” by Katrina and The Waves. Released in 1985, this upbeat and catchy tune celebrates the joy and optimism of walking on a sunny day, spreading positive vibes and inspiring people to embrace the world around them.[122]
Books
122. The book “A Walk in the Woods” by Bill Bryson, published in 1998, recounts the author’s humorous and insightful journey along the Appalachian Trail. Bryson’s misadventures and encounters with nature, and reflections on the trail’s history and ecology make for an entertaining and informative walking adventure.[123]
123. Henry David Thoreau wrote “Walking” in 1862, which explores the author’s philosophical and introspective observations during his walks in nature. Thoreau’s reflections on the simplicity of walking have inspired generations.[124]
124. Walking has inspired prose for many years, and “The Lost Art of Walking” is a book by Geoff Nicholson. The book was published in 2008, exploring the history, psychology, and cultural significance of walking.[125]
125. “The Long Walk” is a novel by Stephen King, written under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. The story follows a dystopian society’s brutal annual walking competition, where participants must walk until only one survivor is left. It was published in 1979.[126]
Art
126. The Sydney Sculpture by the Sea showcases breath taking sculptures along the iconic Bondi to Tamarama coastal walk in Sydney, Australia. Over 500,000 visitors explore the 2-kilometer (1.2-mile) stretch each year, enjoying the fusion of art and natural beauty.[127]
127. “Walking Man” is a bronze sculpture created by Alberto Giacometti in 1960. It depicts a slender figure in mid-stride. The sculpture symbolizes movement, freedom, and the human desire to explore the world on foot.[128]
128. The art movement known as psychogeography originated in Paris in the 1950s. It explores the influence of geographical surroundings on human emotions and behavior. Artists and writers like Guy Debord engage in walks to uncover hidden narratives and experiences within urban environments.[129]
129. Renowned artist Andy Goldsworthy, born in 1956, often incorporates walking and movement in his ephemeral and site-specific artworks. He creates sculptures and installations using natural materials found during walks, such as leaves, stones, and ice.[130]