Back in the 1950s, when the first generation of teenagers fired up a youth revolution, their goal was to look and behave differently to their parents. Previously, young people had been stylistic carbon copies of their elders. But with the advent of first-generation rock 'n' roll and also Teddy Boys, a generational schism cracked open that would never again be rendered shut. Dr. Martens shoes and boots have been worn by workers (for whom they were originally designed), but also by rebels, non-conformists and free thinking individuals of all types for over five decades.