The History of Converse
Converse is the oldest sneaker still in production today, as well as the best-selling sneaker of all time.
The All Star and the Jack Purcell were the first sneakers to pass into the leisure and fashion worlds.
In 1908 Marquis Converse founded the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in Massachusetts.
They made tough, rubber soled, protective footwear “tuff-e-nuff rubbers”. Mr Converse also produced rubber car tyres.
The Converse has hardly changed in appearance since it was first designed in 1917. It had boot-like high tops and was made of light, strong tan canvas with brown rubber soles. It was the start of athletic shoes for both sexes.
Basketball was growing in popularity and Converse designed a high-cut shoe for basketball. The result was the Converse All Star basketball shoe.
Initially available only in black, the All Star didn’t really take off. Then Charles Taylor (Chuck) joined the sales team, he was a basketball player. On his advice, greater ankle support and cushioned heel soles were added.
The name “Chuck Taylor was added to the ankle patch.
Due to demand off white “Chucks” were introduced.
Basketball teams started dying the shoes in their team colours. So in 1966 Converse produced new colours.
Chucks are now seen in a rainbow of colours. Around 30,000 pairs are sold each day worldwide.
They are worn by skaters and rock stars past and present, from The Ramones
..to The Strokes
All Star: Is the biggest selling sneaker of all time. The design hasn’t changed since it began in 1916, and is as much part of popular culture and the sports court.
Jack Purcell was produced in 1930’s as an indoor court sports shoe.
The famous badminton star of the day, Jack Purcell added his name to the shoe and it acquired classic celebrity status.
One Star dates from 1960’s.
With competition from Adidas and Puma, Converse had to widen its range so they designed a low cut basketball shoe. This became the One Star.
Weapon. In 1987 Converse released the Weapon, a basketball shoe in both high and low versions in matching colours of the basketball teams.
Latest Converse, now comes in really High tops and has been customised…
…… by the Gorillaz band…
To The Simpsons .. .
………