Editing Last (section)

==Design==
A last is a mechanical form shaped like a [[human foot]].{{sfnp|''Enc. Brit.'', 11th ed.|1911}} Lasts come in many styles and sizes, depending on the exact job they are designed for. Common variations include simple uniform lasts for [[shoe repair]], custom-purpose mechanized lasts for [[shoe factories]], and custom-made lasts for [[bespoke footwear]]. Though a last is typically made to approximate the shape of a human foot, the precise shape is tailored to the kind of footwear being made. For example, boot lasts typically hug the instep for a close fit. Modern last shapes are now usually designed with dedicated [[computer-aided design|CAD software]].

Lasts are typically made from [[hardwood]]s, [[cast iron]], and high-density plastics{{sfnp|Luximon & al.|2013|p=[https://books.google.com/books?id=T2VEAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA177 177]}} to maintain their shape even after prolonged use in contact with materials like wetted leather and under the mechanical stresses necessary to stretch and shape the material for shoes. Factory lasts must be able to hold the [[nail (fastener)|lasting tacks]] that position the parts of the shoe and then handle the force of the pullover machines used to bottom the shoe and add the sole. The usual material now is [[high-density polyethylene plastic]] (HMW-HDPE), which can be easily, cheaply, and precisely shaped; which withstand more damage from the tacks before requiring repair or replacement; and which can be [[recycling|recycled]] once they finally do wear out entirely. Wooden lasts are now used only for repair work and bespoke shoemaking, particularly in [[Europe]] and [[North America]].