When were converse invented

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What is the oldest, most popular, and all time best selling basketball shoe of all time? It is not the expensive Air Jordans that the Nike Corporation produces! Nor is it made by Fila, Reebok, New Balance, or adidas. It was in that the Converse Rubber Corporation opened for business. At first the company only made galoshes and other work related rubber shoes on a seasonal basis. But eventually the company decided it was more efficient to keep their work force employed year round, and began making athletic shoes. With the popularity of basketball, the Converse Corporation saw the need to develop a shoe that people could wear while playing basketball.

When were converse invented

You most likely have a pair or two currently on rotation, but how well do you know the All Star story? Read on for a brief history of one of the most famous shoes in footwear history. It initially specialised in winterised rubber-soled footwear but as the American appetite for basketball — a relatively new sport at the time — increased, it wasn't long before Converse began its fateful foray into basketball shoes. The high-top silhouette was composed of a rubber sole and canvas upper, with a cushioned insole, arch and heel support as well as its now-iconic diamond tread pattern, designed for increased traction. It wasn't until a few years later that the All Star became the Chuck Taylor All Star, when a basketball player by the name of Chuck Taylor joined Converse as a salesman. Having experienced first-hand the issues with basketball footwear at the time, Taylor was brimming with ideas for how to improve them. Within a year of his arrival at the company, Converse had taken his advice on board and restyled the shoe to enhance its flexibility and ankle support. And so, in , the world's first celebrity-endorsed athletic shoe — the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star — was born. In the following years, Taylor travelled around the US promoting the shoe and leading basketball clinics to increase participation in the sport. By the s, the Chuck Taylor All Star had become cemented as a firm favourite amongst professional and college basketball players. Taylor had become so synonymous with the sport that his signature was stamped onto the All Star's circular ankle patch in ,. A momentous occasion came in , when Converse All Stars were adopted as the official shoes of the Olympics. This saw the design of the iconic white model with patriotic red and blue accents, a colourway that remains Converse's most beloved to this day. As sportswear technology developed over the years and other brands infiltrated the market, Chuck Taylor All Stars became less represented on the court. Instead, they garnered a whole new significance outside the realm of basketball, becoming more of a casual lifestyle shoe.

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Buy now, pay later. In celebration of the grand opening of our fourth FEATURE retail store in Scottsdale, Arizona, we are going back in time to the history of Converse as one of the most iconic fashion brands to exist. Keep reading to learn more. Very few footwear brands have made as much of an impact in the fashion industry as Converse has. With a repertoire that dates back over years, the Converse brand and its shoes have become icons in the footwear world. Converse sneakers are some of the most recognizable sneakers on the planet.

Converse All Stars, also known as Chuck Taylors, are casual shoes that have played a significant role in pop culture for decades. Initially designed as a basketball shoe in the early s, the soft cotton and rubber-soled style has remained largely unchanged for the last century. Within a year, he inspired a restyling of the brand's basketball shoe, which led to the nickname "Chuck Taylors. During this period, the Converse All Star was primarily a basketball shoe, and Taylor advertised it as such. He traveled across the United States conducting basketball clinics in order to sell the athletic shoes. In fact, Converse All Stars were the official basketball shoe of the Olympic games for over 30 years.

When were converse invented

By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy. We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. Converse took a simple vulcanized canvas shoe and turned it into a fashion and pop culture phenomenon. Over more than a century, the shoe has been made in a rainbow of colors and in high-top, low-top and platform versions. Generations of everyday people, musicians and celebrities have worn Chucks — as they are affectionately called — with hundreds of millions of pairs sold to date. As the fledgling company was getting its start, a pivotal moment was about to happen about 90 miles away in Springfield, Massachusetts: the invention of basketball in Pike eventually left the enterprise, and Converse changed the company name to M. Converse and later to the Converse Rubber Shoe Co. The company set out to produce both footwear and car tires in an unusual business model. The first Converse shoes — rubber-soled galoshes — debuted in , and within a year the company was making as many as 5, pairs per day.

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At the same time, the classic All-Star ankle patch makes an impression on the sides. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society. That's what gives the Converse Chuck Taylor All Star its timeless appeal — it's more than just a sneaker, it's rooted in history and emotion and culture. The brand was reestablished successfully and the company was eventually purchased by its rival, Nike. Many athletes switched to shoes with leather uppers and harder rubber soles made by Converse as well as its competitors. Sole Collector. It was in that the Converse Rubber Corporation opened for business. Converse basketball shoes were even a favorite of the legendary Michael Jordan while he played basketball in college. In the low cut All Star was introduced and became popular as a more casual alternative to the high top. Even icons the likes of Andy Warhol and Kurt Cobain were noted fans of the shoe. The years after the war saw Converse introduce the black and white colour way of the Chuck Taylor All Star, a style that would become a favourite for many. Archived from the original on February 20, A basketball player for the the Akron Firestones, Taylor joined the Converse sales team in after coming across the shoe and seeing huge potential in its design. Preview the experience. After lots of research and development, the very first version of the All Star basketball shoe was produced in

Converse initially produced winterized rubber-soled shoes and boots. During World War II , it shifted manufacturing to make footwear for the military.

After lots of research and development, the very first version of the All Star basketball shoe was produced in The low-cut shoes also have a tag with the same logo as the heel stitched onto the tongue. Archived from the original on February 20, The influence of the Chuck Taylor All Star is unlike any other shoe. The Chicago-based touring team was established to promote sales of the company's All Star basketball shoes. Your Account. Unfortunately, one year later he passed away. Trends may come and go, but the Chuck Taylor is forever. In honor of Warhol's contributions to visual art, Converse designed the All-Star shoe to commemorate Warhol's subcultural influence. Retrieved November 13, The brand and the shoe would grow to become synonymous with the sport, favourited by players nationwide. Chuck Taylor All Stars regained popularity in the s and s, making a shift to casual, retro-style footwear.