Dedication to Chuck Taylor shoes runs deep

The oldest known pair of Chucks in existence, circa early 1920s, according to the folks at Converse.

Larry Brown, of Tipp City, has worn Chucks exclusively since 1988. He first wore them in the 1950s, when he played basketball in Tennessee. In the 1990s, his wife customized some "Campaign Chucks" that he wore when he ran for state representative in Miami County.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Kayleigh Baker, Dayton I love Converse! So many Converse, so few feet. I own 15 pairs. I have been collecting them since I was 13 years old. They have been my favorite shoe since then. They are comfortable; they come in many different colors and designs so its never hard to find a color you like; the different styles are fun, having the option of wearing low tops, high tops, or even higher tops to match them with any outfit!

ENLARGE PHOTO

Clark Howard: Valentine’s saving tips anyone would love
2/14/12
Housing, credit crisis hurt home remodeling
2/13/12
Fight your ‘love weight’ with workouts
2/13/12
Keep insulin levels balanced for good health
2/13/12
Musical to feature heart, drama of Clooney’s life
2/11/12
> More lifestyle headlines

At converse.com, you can customize your Chucks right from the factory: You can choose the color or pattern for each canvas panel, tongue and the interior, the color of the laces, the rubber around the bottom, the stripe and even add a personalized ID with 8 characters.

'They are more than a shoe — they are an attitude.'

By MB Hopkins, Staff Writer Updated 8:31 PM Friday, October 23, 2009

We asked, you delivered. We wanted to see your Converse Chuck Taylor All-star shoes and hear what you had to say about the sneakers that have been worn through several generations. How many items of dress have been around for more than a century, and can hold bragging rights about being in style for the general population for at least 50 of those years? It’s likely a short list. This is for you, Chuck fans.

Perhaps Susan Willin-Mulay, a Sinclair professor, summed it up best: “What I like about Converse All-Stars is their timelessness. Each generation has been able to claim the shoe as their own.”

Indeed, the Converse company has been in existence in one form or another for more than 100 years, about 92 of which they’ve been making basketball shoes, specifically, the All-Star sneaker.

Charles Taylor, aka Chuck, was a real person. One of the first basketball players to officially endorse a sports shoe. Converse hired Taylor in 1921 to run basketball clinics around the country, selling the sport, and the shoe it took to play it.

In 1923, Chuck Taylor’s name was added to the All-Star ankle patch.

Along comes World War II, and Converse was tapped to shift production and outfit all soldiers going through basic training in the Chuck Taylor All-Star.

Taylor coached the Wright Field Air-Tecs in 1944-45, at what is now Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Once again, it seems Dayton is the center of the universe.

Chucks have been a mainstay in fashion coolness for 50-plus years. One would be hard-pressed to name another fashion that’s lasted so long. Maybe Levi’s in various incarnations?

Chucks were introduced as a sports performance shoe, but made a crossover to the mainstream and particularly gained the favor of society’s “misfits,” generation after generation. Creative folks could identify with a pair of shoes that reflect an individual’s style.

They were the signature shoe for The Ramones. They were worn by artist Jackson Pollock and actor John Belushi. Aerosmith, U2, Twisted Sister and Pearl Jam all visited the Converse Company to get special-made Chucks.

The Converse company was bought out by Nike in 2003. So far, they’ve not altered their fans’ sweet shoe. Perhaps they know how deep the loyalty goes.

Share this article