The History of Converse Shoes

Answer 1

Converse shoes have been a huge part of American fashion. These shoes came on the scene when rock and roll was in its glory days. Statistics indicate that about 60% of Americans have owned a pair of converse shoes. In 1908, Marquis Converse began making this shoe. Previously he had worked in a shoe manufacturing plant, and he learned the trade of shoemaking during this time.

In 1915, Mr. Converse started making shoes for tennis athletes. Next, in 1917, he produced the world's first Basketball shoe. This shoe was called the All Star Converse. In 1918, Chuck Taylor, a basketball player, started to wear Converse shoes. Suddenly, basketball players were intrigued with this new basketball shoe. In 1921, Chuck Taylor joined the team of Converse; he started endorsing the brand all over the nation. After this, Chuck Taylor launched a 35 year basketball crusade across the U.S. His mission was to teach basketball to people of all ages and races.

Sales for converse shoes surged throughout the 1920's and 1930's. America was intrigued by the shoe and the sport of basketball. The Chuck Taylor All star Converse became the official shoe that was issued to basketball players in high school, college, and professional basketball. Additionally, Chuck Taylor invents the seamless basketball in 1935. This ball has a different and better bounce than traditional basketballs. Throughout the 1930's and 1940's converse shoes played a major part in the landscape of American life. Its impact was so much more than a shoe. It represented a time period. At the height of the popularity of converse shoes, America entered World War I. Basketball became extremely healing to the country. This sport was a way to exemplify American unity and patriotism. Also, this sport represented the strong moral fiber in the nation.

Today, converse shoes have rocked their way into the hearts of a new generation. Youth and adults today can be seen sporting unique colors and styles of this legendary shoe. The vibe behind converse shoes is young and fun. It is a slight variation from the seriousness of other shoes. A person can even design their own style of Chuck Taylors. The possibilities are simply endless.