Orthofeet Inc was established in 1984 by Ron Bar and his brother Michael Bar Ron Bar earned a doctorate in biomedical engineering from the Technion Israel Institute of Technology and Michael Bar earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the same institute The real story of Orthofeet however, lies in Ron Bar’s motivation for the business As a young soldier serving as a reserve during the Yom Kippur war of 1973 in Israel, Ron Bar lost his leg when his tank was hit with a missile. Out of this tragedy Orthofeet was born Ron saw early on that the traditional method of taking a cast of a patient’s foot was cumbersome and often inaccurate. After earning his degrees he set out to design insoles foot orthotics and footwear that would make more sense to his condition and others with mobility issues Ron’s brother Michael also joined him, adding his expertise as a mechanical engineer. Together they came up with a method that would allow the orthotic to mold directly to the shape of the foot using expandable polyurethane foam that is activated by water This patented orthotic allows for a more accurate and dynamic shaping to the contours of the foot enhancing fit and comfort. In 2000 using its expertise in foot biomechanics and orthotics design Orthofeet started a line of comfort orthopedic shoes, which combine attractive styling with innovative comfort features Ron’s war tragedy led to what is today a very successful business that improves the lives of millions of customers worldwide