Tim Brennan is a product designer and developer who is driven by solving problems which make a real difference in people’s lives. His work involves creating and licensing IP for new products and has a long term goal to accelerate the world’s transition towards sustainable design and renewable energy.
From 1996 to 2000, Tim Brennan studied an Mechanical Engineering Design at the University of Bath. He then spent and additional two years at the Royal College of Art and Imperial College, London, studying an MA in Industrial Design Engineering. It was during that time as a student that Tim developed a concept for a new type of shoe that allowed the foot to function with greater ease. It was launched in 2004 under the name VIVOBAREFOOT across the UK, US and Europe.
This product paved the way for the new genre of “minimalist running shoes” and introduced the idea of barefoot running. Now 17 years in production, VIVOBAREFOOT still continue to grow in popularity the world over, and has been the inspiration behind numerous barefoot running shoes from various manufacturers.
This interview is the first of two with Tim Brennan.
Tim Brennan, Inventor of VIVOBAREFOOT
We interview Tim Brennan on Episode 116 of the Invention Stories Podcast and here are some of the questions we asked:
Where did you grow up?
What kind of kid were you?
Did you pull apart the television?
What happens if you have extra parts after fixing something?
Did you like school?
Why did you attend the University in Bath?
How did you come to invent VIVOBAREFOOT shoes?
Do the shoes have less material in the sole than traditional shoes?
Did you ever consider that your injuries were more about you?
Were you thinking outside of the box or did you think the shoe approach would work?
Do you know your way around a sewing maching?
How did you license them to Clark’s shoes?
How did you contact the prospective companies?
Do you think seeing a prototype would have made a difference?
Why is sustainability design important to you?
Are you a minimilist?
Coming Soon
Episode 116…Tim Brennan and VIVOBAREFOOT is Coming Soon on Invention Stories on YouTube
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