I know it always made good sense to have distinctive team uniforms. It makes the team easier to recognize when the action is going on. When team uniforms first came out just standard work socks with the footwear. Then someone came up with the idea of making custom socks. These were socks that matched up with the uniform. The color and team logo was put on the socks and the uniform became complete. I don’t know who first thought up custom socks but I know all the uniform wearing sports from Jr. High to pro teams now have a completed uniform and I am glad of that.