Johansen Brothers Shoe Company was founded in 1876 in St. Louis, Missouri, by Norwegian immigrant Johan JOHANSEN and his brother. The company established dedicated shoe factories in 1888. They operated a branch known as the Barnes Shoe Company in Centralia, Illinois, during the early-to-mid 1900s. In 1915, the company won a gold medal for women's shoes at the Panama-Pacific International Exposition. It was a prominent manufacturer in St. Louis, a city that was one of the largest shoe manufacturing hubs in the US during the early 20th century. Known for high-quality, often narrow-fit women's footwear, during World War II the company produced items for the U.S. Army Ground Forces, including the "Pack, Jungle" in 1943. After the war Johansen often produced their shoes under the "Johansen" or "Johansen Lewis" label, which was a high-end line associated with their 1950s and 1960s production. One of the company's undoubted successes was vinyl mules named Spring-o-lators. This model was invented by Maxwell SACKS and became a staple in the 1950s. A specific "Spring-o-lator" technology – an elastic strip in the footbed – allowed open-backed mules to hug the arch of the foot, preventing them from slipping off while walking. They were considered a perfect blend of "bedroom mule" comfort and high-fashion, suitable for both casual wear and evening wear. The company continued operations through at least 1960. A brand known as Capp Shoe Company continued to produce shoes in the USA, citing the heritage of the original firm.