[RKDinOKC]

High heels are any heel ranging from 2 to 5 inches.

High heels first appeared in the 1600 worn by Persian horseback soldiers. The heels were to keep their feet from slipping forward in the stirrups and helped standing in the saddle to fire off arrows. Think cowboy boots.

Historically high heeled shoes were worn by both men and women to show status and power, i.e. to look taller, ancient Eqypt, French aristocrats, etc.

It wasn't until after WwII that high heels were popular in womens fashion. It was to make them look like the bare footed pin-up girls pointing their toes to make their calves and legs look sexier. No idea when the stilettos, leather, and whips started, could have been the Persian Horsemen. They did have the high heeled boots and horse whips.