<P> A shoehorn or shoe horn (sometimes called a shoespooner or shoe tongue) is a tool that lets the user put on a shoe more easily . It does so by keeping the shoe open and by providing a smooth surface for the foot and the heel to slide into the shoe, without crushing the shoe's counter (the vertical portion of the shoe that wraps around the back of the foot), in this way acting as a first class lever . Originally, shoehorns were made from animal horns,, hooves, glass and even paper . Additionally, expensive shoehorns were made from ivory, shells, silver, or bone . Today, some made from bulls' hooves are still available for purchase, although metal, plastic, and wood are most often used . </P> <P> There are various sizes of shoehorns, though the basic shape varies little except for the length of the handle . Long handled shoe horns, for example, are necessary for longer boots; they are also used to reduce bending and straining by persons lacking joint mobility (e.g., older persons), while shoe horns with sturdy handles are useful for putting on boots or heavy iron shoes . </P> <P> Shoehorns appear to have originated in the late Middle Ages or Renaissance; in English a "schoying horne" is mentioned in the 15th century, though the French word chausse - pied is only found during the last half of the 16th century . Elizabeth I of England bought 18 shoe horns from her shoemaker Garrett Johnson between 1563 and 1566, then in 1567 ordered four more in steel from the blacksmiths Gilbert Polson and Richard Jeffrey, and then needed no more until 1586 . Presumably these were used by many people in her household . </P> <P> A group of more than 20 known English shoe horns are all signed and dated, to between 1593 and 1613, and made by Robert Mindum . All also are inscribed with the names of their owners; These include both men and women, including "JANE HIS WIFE" in 1612 . The inscription on one is typical: "THIS IS AMBRES BVCKELLS SHOING HORNE MADE BY ROBART MINDVM ANNO DOMINI 1598". There is also other engraved decoration on all, including heraldic medallions, geometric designs and flowers, covering most of the surfaces, in a style characteristic of later scrimshaw . Their shape is very similar to modern examples, and the longest is 11 inches long; five are turned back at the narrow end in a kind of hook . Several have holes pierced in them, presumably for a cord or leather thong used for pulling them out of the shoe or hanging them up . One owner ("Hamlet Radesdale", 1593) is described as a citizen of London who is a cooper; none of the owners seem to be recorded otherwise . Joan Evans suggested, given the nature of the inscriptions, that Robert Mindum made them as a hobby and gave them to his friends . A powder horn similarly inscribed and decorated by him also survives . The British Museum also has a similar inscribed and decorated horn by another maker . </P>

Why do they call it a shoe horn