1955 | THE JELLY SHOE BY JEAN DAUPHANT A.K.A. LA MÉDUSE©

[Not the original]
Jelly Shoe

Monsieur Jean Dauphant, from the Auvergne region (center-south France) started the brand SARRAIZIENNE in 1946. Shortage of leather required lateral thinking and the use of moulded plastic was an available option. Nicknamed Méduse, it became an instant classic.

1946 - 2013 | Sarraizienne by Jean Dauphant
Les Sarraix par Celles-sur-Duralle | France

The oldest patent available is dated 1954 while this one below is from the following year. In any case, it makes Jean Dauphant the original item making all the others second-rate copycats.

1955 | Jean Dauphant

Pantoufles en matière plastique

Source: INPI (Institute National de la Propriété Industrielle - France)

Much like the Crocs, the Méduse (jellyfish) is an acquired taste, however it can count on unsuspecting supporters like cult director Terry Gilliam.

A smart woman 

Check out my jelly shoes – pretty groovy, I’m sure you’ll agree. Michael Palin’s wife Helen hated them so much she wouldn’t let me in the house with them on. 

Terry Gilliam

[From: Gilliamesque: A Pre-posthumous Memoir - Harper Design, 2015]

1968 | Terry Gilliam | detail

Source: Gilliamesque: A Pre-posthumous Memoir - Harper Design, 2015

1952 | Sarraizienne by Jean Dauphant

Les Sarraix par Celles-sur-Duralle | France

Source: Delcampe

F O O T N O T E S

1961 | Bata Air-Ba

Artwork by Peter Birkhäuser

Source: Poster Auctioneer

1968 | The WE HAVE WAYS OF MAKING YOU LAUGH team

Source: Gilliamesque: A Pre-posthumous Memoir - Harper Design, 2015