This is a photograph of two guys and a girl performing an old type of swing jazz.  Jazz originated at the start of the nineteenth century.  Life was said to be lived to the fullest and enjoyed.  The type of jazz shoe is a soft leather type material.  It is easy to work with and dance with.  jazz has evolved from swing to a more modern type of dance.  

This is a picture of ballet shoes used to perform pointe.  Pointe is a particular type of ballet.  Ballet originated in the courts of Renaissance Italy.  The  earliest known performance was in 1489.  The Italian ballet then moved to the French courts.  The court ballet reached its peak during the reign of Louis the foruteenth.  Popular dance types also influenced ballet.  Jazz had a major influence on ballet along with modern day dance.

This is a picture of a few dancers doing a tap dance.  Tap has dated back to the 1800's.  Tap has a lot of Irish and Scottish heritage.  The early tap shoes were made of wood.  These shoes were very heavy and hard to work with, so now, to make it easier, the tap shoes are metal and light weight.  In the beginning ages of tap, the dancers performed on street corners or outside clubs trying to "out do" other dancers.  Tap has now changed into a more sophisticated dance.