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Chuck Taylor, We Love You

The Converse shoe has been a fashion staple passed down by generations. It’s one of those trends that will never die; you know, in the same league as Rayban Wayfarers and Levi’s jeans. Almost everyone owns a pair, but how did they come about being in closets all over the world?

It started back in 1908, when Marquis Converse opened the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in Malden, Massachusetts. The company originally only offered rubber soled footwear for men, women and children.

In 1912, the company started making athletic shoes for tennis, and by 1917, they created the world’s first shoe, aimed at basketball players called the Converse All Star. A year later, Charles Taylor, a basketball player, purchased his first pair of Converse All Stars. He introduced the brand to people across the country, and in 1921, he became America’s first player to be endorsed. Two years later, Chuck’s signature was added in the All Star patch and that Chuck Taylor was born.

By 1941, Converse started manufacturing boots, suits and ponchos for pilots and troops during World War II, and for its efforts, received a number of honours from the Army and Navy.

In the 50s, the shoe became a fashion icon for rebellious teens. Hollywood helped boost the fame of the shoe, with celebs and actors wearing them as well. They were worn with jeans by the boys, and skirts and ankle socks by the girls. Their popularity grew all the way until the 80s where things took a bit of a turn.

Suddenly, things started heading downhill. Many new companies started emerging, and Converse just couldn’t keep up. Bad decisions ended in bankruptcy in 2001, and in 2003, Converse accepted Nike’s offer to buy the company for $305 million.

Luckily, in the past few years, the Converse shoe has gained popularity once again, and most people has or at one point owned at least one pair of the signature All Stars.