George Balanchine once said that if no pointe existed, he would not be a choreographer. Indeed, pointe shoes have been a very important part of dance history. The ability to rise on the tips of her toes gave a ballerina the ability to dance on a whole new level. With the appearance of pointe shoes, the female dancer’s technique expanded, enabling her to create the illusion of incredible lightness and to project an increased sense of daring.