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.
About the Author