The History of Converse Shoes

In the world of casual footwear, Converse shoes have earned quite a reputation. These iconic sneakers are instantly recognizable and they have been imitated dozens of times. Despite cheap, knock-off brands being available, most consumers will select the original version when given the option. This is because these shoes have become known for both quality and comfort along with original and eye-catching designs. The company was founded way back in 1908 and is considered a pioneer in the field of running shoes and casual footwear. The logo of the five pointed star in the circle is one of the more recognizable in the world of footwear fashion.

The company began in Boston and was known for manufacturing rubber shoes. These shoes were quite popular and the early 1900′s found the company producing thousands of pairs each day. They moved into the realm of the sport shoe when they began manufacturing shoes aimed to be worn during the playing of tennis. It was in 1917 that the Converse All-Star was introduced and this item has gone on to become one of the most popular footwear items of all time. Legend has it that basketball great, Charles Taylor approached the company with complaints of sore feet. They set out to design a shoe that would offer support while playing sports such as basketball. The ability to jump high and run fast was also taken into consideration along with the ability to stop and turn quickly on the rubber soul. These shoes became incredibly popular and are known as Chuck Taylor’s or Chucks to this very day. The signature of the basketball great was even added to the logo in the year of 1923.

During WWII the company moved into manufacturing rubber gear for the troops that included Converse Shoes along with protective suits and outerwear. The company branded itself as an American icon and continued to grow in popularity. During the 1970′s a whole slew of other footwear manufacturers entered the sneaker market and the Converse share of the market began to shrink. Soon they would only be a minor player in the sporting shoe business. The company filed for bankruptcy in 2001 but has since risen to prominence once again in the footwear market.

The shoes come in a huge variety of colors and styles and are often put out in limited editions. They can be found in black and pink and white, zebra strips and even glow in the dark pairs are available. They have been worn by many actors and rock stars which helped them to rise from the ashes of bankruptcy. There are both high top and low top versions along with the classic sneaker shape. There are even high heeled versions of the shoe and those that can be laced up to the knee. There are many special editions such as those made with the Skull and Roses design of the Grateful Dead. The brand of Converse shoes made a large imprint on the world of footwear.