The Pedal Laboratory

Ziva tries on a number of shoes to find which ones allow her exceptionally flexible toes to curl the most!

After some initial trials of our antique car pedal simulator, which features a floor accelerator pedal, starter pedal, clutch, and brake, as would be found in a car or light truck from the late 1940's to early 1950's, it has undergone extensive re-design and re-construction. Before we put all the finishes on it, we wanted to try it again, which Ama Rio does in a variety of shoes that might have been used by the rare women who drove such vehicles, at least by the mid 1950's. We see a few tweaks that are still needed, then will put it through its paces again, in what will hopefully be a finished condition.

After some initial trials of our antique car pedal simulator, which features a floor accelerator pedal, starter pedal, clutch, and brake, as would be found in a car or light truck from the late 1940's to early 1950's, it has undergone extensive re-design and re-construction. Before we put all the finishes on it, we wanted to try it again, which Ama Rio does in a variety of shoes that might have been used by the rare women who drove such vehicles, at least by the mid 1950's. We see a few tweaks that are still needed, then will put it through its paces again, in what will hopefully be a finished condition.

Ziva has now gotten used to the simulator, so she decides to see how crazy things get when she drives in heels!

Ziva has now gotten used to the simulator, so she decides to see how crazy things get when she drives in heels!

After some initial trials of our antique car pedal simulator, which features a floor accelerator pedal, starter pedal, clutch, and brake, as would be found in a car or light truck from the late 1940's to early 1950's, it has undergone extensive re-design and re-construction. Before we put all the finishes on it, we wanted to try it again, which Ziva does in a variety of shoes that might have been used by the rare women who drove such vehicles, at least by the mid 1950's. We see a few tweaks that are still needed, then will put it through its paces again, in what will hopefully be a finished condition.

After some initial trials of our antique car pedal simulator, which features a floor accelerator pedal, starter pedal, clutch, and brake, as would be found in a car or light truck from the late 1940's to early 1950's, it has undergone extensive re-design and re-construction. Before we put all the finishes on it, we wanted to try it again, which Ziva does in a variety of shoes that might have been used by the rare women who drove such vehicles, at least by the mid 1950's. We see a few tweaks that are still needed, then will put it through its paces again, in what will hopefully be a finished condition.

Maria has some more shoes to check out, but this time, she begins by working the pedals barefoot, as a control. Which shoes will be the most like driving barefoot?

Maria has some more shoes to check out, but this time, she begins by working the pedals barefoot, as a control. Which shoes will be the most like driving barefoot?

Maria Jade has a blast getting used to the simulator, seeing how much she can floor the accelerator and cause mayhem without injuring herself or others.

Maria Jade has a blast getting used to the simulator, seeing how much she can floor the accelerator and cause mayhem without injuring herself or others.

The last time Maria was at the Lab, we hadn't even started building the driving simulator. Now, Maria is delighted to be able to use it to check out some shoes.

The last time Maria was at the Lab, we hadn't even started building the driving simulator. Now, Maria is delighted to be able to use it to check out some shoes.

Alina Long has brought in a few shoes to try out on the laboratory's pedals. She begins with a pair of pink flat-heeled thong sandals, then tries a pair of silver high-heeled t-strap sandals, a pair of tan and black high-heeled sandals, then a pair of red high-heeled pumps, and finally, a pair of black high-heeled, sling-back, peep-toe quasi-boots.

Drea tries out a few different types of shoes on our dual bellows pump, while inflating an enormous paddle balloon. She starts out with her lovely tanned feet in a pair of thin black rope-style flat thong sandals, which allow her toes to flex freely as she mashes the big pedal all the way down. She next tries a pair of tan closed-toe high-heel pumps, then a pair of slip-on toe loop sandals, a pair of high heel wedge sandals, a pair of mirrored silver flat-heeled thong sandals, and a pair of multicolored strappy high heeled sandals. Then she decides to see what it's like barefoot, and since the balloon has become nearly as large as she is tall, she moves on to a pair of green strappy high-heeled sandals. When the beast still has not popped, she reverts to the toe loop sandals, which are clearly among her favorites.

Krystal Orchid tries out our pedals with a variety of shoes, including a pair of black t-strap sandals, black thong sandals, black "flower" sandals, tan high-heel thong sandals, and white closed-toe flats. And for good measure, she tries all of the pedals barefoot as well!

Galas wants to see how close her sandals come to the barefoot pedal pumping experience. She also wants to try out our new foot pump, which is quite similar to the foot starter on some American cars and trucks up to the late 1950's. She begins by operating all of the pedals barefoot, and then tries a pair of (nearly extinct) high-heeled thong sandals, followed by a variety of flat sandals.

Channy takes on the manual transmission in her flat thong sandals.

Katrina has brought in an assortment of shoes to determine which work better for her in pumping the Inflation Lab's pedals. She begins with a pair of wedge-heeled thong sandals, which really let her toes bend as she pushes the big bellows-pump pedal all the way down. She then tries a pair of flat strappy sandals, which also are very flexible. She then tries a pair of high-heeled pumps, which aren't very flexible, but she still manages to make work. Then she tries another pair of strappy wedge-heeled sandals with very broad straps. Finally, she gives the thong wedges a victory lap! Which do you think work better?

Channy takes on the manual transmission in her flat thong sandals.