Some of the earliest recorded instances of "pretty ankle contests" appear in the first decade of the 20th century as special shows within women's “physical culture” pageants.
According to Retronaut, these shows served as promotions for hosiery companies, with winners receiving free stockings from the event sponsors, not to mention fame and adulation.
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| A policeman judges an ankle competition at Hounslow, London, July 10, 1930. |
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| Men judge women's ankles at a competition in Kent, England, 1932. |
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| June 21, 1933 |
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| June 25, 1936 |
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| A "prettiest legs" competition in Paris, 1950. |
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| 1950 |
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| The legs of contestants in a 'Miss World' beauty competition dangle over the wing of a BOAC Comet airplane, November 7, 1953. |