Original version

BBC World Service Australasia

Witness History

Podcasts

Factual: History

History as told by the people who were there

History as told by the people who were there.

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa Schedule

BBC World Service East and Southern Africa

BBC World Service Online

BBC World Service schedule for American satellite radio and the Caribbean

BBC World Service Americas and the Caribbean

BBC World Service

BBC World Service South Asia

BBC World Service News Internet

BBC World Service Europe and the Middle East

BBC World Service West and Central Africa Schedule

BBC World Service West and Central Africa

BBC World Service East Asia

Witness History: Bata: Pioneering shoemakers

Documentaries

bata shoes pic with blocks.jpg

20/05/2024 GMT

Bata: Pioneering shoemakers

BBC World Service - Witness History, Bata: Pioneering shoemakers

A Czech company called Bata pioneered assembly line shoemaking

How a Czech company called Bata pioneered assembly line shoemaking. Their factory near London was opened in 1933 and it became key to its expansion.

Bata was a Czech company which pioneered assembly line shoemaking and sold affordable footwear around the world. 

The factory near London was opened in 1933 and it became key to its expansion. 

In 2018, Dina Newman spoke to one of its senior engineers, Mick Pinion, about the company's remarkable history, including how it sold millions of shoes in Africa and Asia.

(Photo: mobile shoe shop selling Bata shoes. Credit: Getty Images)

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Witness History

Bata: Pioneering shoemakers

Genres

Formats

Brand

BBC World Service Australasia

About BBC World Service