A history of high heels

Marie Lloyd, the famous music hall artiste, wears a pair of satin high-heeled pumps c.1900 Photograph: Hulton-Deutsch Collection/Corbis

These flappers look the cat's pajamas in their high heels and bows in 1925 Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty

The actor Carol Goodner reclines on deck in a jaunty little outfit. Note the close proximity of a lifebelt - a health and safety requirement when wearing high heels on board ship in the 1930s Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty

The foxy fashions of the 1940s are certainly easy on the eye ... Photograph: Getty

But they're less easy on the feet, as this weary traveller demonstrates Photograph: H Armstrong Roberts/Getty

Marilyn Monroe plays baseball in a slightly inappropriate outfit in 1952. Something tells us she's not bothered about making a home run Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty

By the 1960s, heels are an everyday sight on the high street ... Photograph: James Burke/Getty

And in 1970 they are de rigeur on the beauty pageant circuit. Well, the policeman seem to like them ... Photograph: Ted West/Getty

But we prefer this modern interpretation of the 70s look, as seen at Sao Paulo fashion week Photograph: Mauricio Lima/AFP

High heels are part of the uniform in the power-dressing 1980s Photograph: Getty

Killer heels are all the rage in the noughties. Mischa Barton's pair double up as a lethal weapon against annoying paps Photograph: Charles Sykes/Rex Features

Heels reach new heights in 2008. Agyness Deyn looks long and lean in these spiky babies Photograph: Hulton Archive/Getty

Some women have even learned to run in their heels, as seen at this stiletto race in Amsterdam Photograph: Toussaint Kluiters/Reuters