At the turn of the 20th century a shoe merchant named Charles Beckman in Red Wing, Minnesota saw a local necessity for shoes specifically designed for the demanding work of industries such as mining, logging and farming. The rigors of these jobs required footwear which was tough enough to outlast harsh working conditions, but Beckman envisioned a shoe that was also comfortable enough for the hardworking people who wore them. Beckman set out to develop work boots to fill this need and in 1905 he opened a company that would change the market. Beckman named his company Red Wing Shoes, and a new standard for excellence was born.