who invented the first pair of pointe shoes

Attributing the invention of the first pointe shoe to a single person gets a bit tricky because the development happened in stages. Here’s what we know:

• 1795: Charles Didelot, a ballet master, is credited with creating the forerunner of pointe shoes. These early shoes were called “flying machines” and likely didn’t have the hardened shank and box of a modern pointe shoe, but they allowed dancers to rise onto the balls of their feet for a brief moment.
• Early 20th Century: Anna Pavlova, a famous ballerina, is credited with significantly influencing the design of the modern pointe shoe. She reportedly made modifications to her shoes, including strengthening the soles and shaping the toe box, to provide more support for pointe work.