So amazing how Hashem guides out lives. I was looking for some orthopedic shoes and found a place called orthofeet.com. As is my habit I looked at the about part of their webpage and look what I found!!
Our Story
Orthofeet, Inc. was established in 1984 by Ron Bar and his brother Michael Bar. Ron Bar earned a doctorate in biomedical engineering from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology and Michael Bar earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the same institute. The real story of Orthofeet, however, lies in Ron Bar’s motivation for the business.
As a young soldier serving as a reserve during the Yom Kippur war of 1973 in Israel, Ron Bar lost his leg when his tank was hit with a missile. Out of this tragedy, Orthofeet was born. Ron saw early on that the traditional method of taking a cast of a patient’s foot was cumbersome, and often, inaccurate. After earning his degrees, he set out to design insoles, foot orthotics, and footwear that would make more sense to his condition and others with mobility issues. Ron’s brother, Michael, also joined him, adding his expertise as a mechanical engineer. Together, they came up with a method that would allow the orthotic to mold directly to the shape of the foot, using expandable polyurethane foam that is activated by water.
This patented orthotic allows for a more accurate and dynamic shaping to the contours of the foot, enhancing fit and comfort. In 2000, using its expertise in foot biomechanics and orthotics design, Orthofeet started a line of comfort orthopedic shoes, which combine attractive styling with innovative comfort features. Ron’s war tragedy led to what is today a very successful business that improves the lives of millions of customers worldwide.
