Yahoo News What's today's Google Doodle? The reason why the search engine is celebrating the Wellington boot
Google is celebrating the anniversary of the rainiest day in the history of the UK with a special Doodle dedicated to wellies.
On this day four years ago (2015 to be precise), an area of Cumbria recorded more than 34 centimetres - 13 inches - of rain in a 24-hour period.
And so Google has decided to commemorate this somewhat damp day by paying homage to the humble Wellington boot, for keeping feet warm and dry for more than 200 years.
Here's all you need to know about the Wellington boot!
The man who invented the Wellington boot is none other than the hero of the Battle of Waterloo, Arthur Wellesley, who was the First Duke of Wellington.
In the early 1800s, the Wellington boot - or "wellies" - evolved from modified military issue Hessian boots, popular light riding boots of the day.
Wellington asked his shoemaker in London to make a shorter boot that would be much easier to wear with trousers, shorter and cut more closely around the leg.
These boots were made from a waxed calfskin leather, instead of polished leather, and a stylish and waterproof shoe was created.
Dubbed the Wellingon after the Duke, the boot quickly picked up popular fashion appeal and were worn by the famous dandies and in the upper circles of the day.
They fell out of favour towards the end of the century and were superseded by the smaller ankle boot. However, revolution came in the form of vulcanised rubber, which arrived in the mid-19th century.
Rubber's waterproof properties meant the boots were soon picked up by French farmers, who had been relying wooden clogs for centuries. The waterproof nature of the rubber meant farmers would come home at the end with dry, clean feet.
And soon its capabilities made the welly a must-have for the typical British weather, its popularity soon spread around the world.
The boot was used heavily in the trenches of World War One, while post war its low cost and waterproof nature, along with the ease of manufacturing, meant it became popular worldwide.
