Converse
Converse was founded by Massachusetts businessman Marquis Mills Converse. He created the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in February 1908, and on April 30, 1909, debuted the company’s first pair of rubber galoshes. It wasn’t until the mid-1910s that Converse entered the athletic market. To cater to the new but growing sport of basketball, it created the Non-Skid shoe, which in 1919 would be renamed the All-Star and eventually evolve into the Chuck Taylor All-Star (named after one of its most devoted salesmen and ambassadors).
The history of Converse is deeply intertwined with the sport of basketball. By 1955, Chucks were the No. 1 basketball shoe in America and the brand owned 80 percent of the entire sneaker industry. Throughout the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, its sneakers were worn by the majority of pro and college teams, including legendary players like Dr. J, Larry Bird, Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan (before signing his deal with Nike). Speaking of the Swoosh, Converse was acquired by Nike on Sept. 4, 2003, for $305 million. Though Converse shoes are no longer a staple of basketball courts, they’ve become synonymous with youth culture — and counterculture — worn by artists and musicians across the globe.
Converse
Converse Updates Its Counter Climate Boot Collection
Converse is bulking up for the winter. The sneaker brand released the third installment of the Counter…
Converse Updates Its <em>Counter Climate</em> Boot Collection
Converse is bulking up for the winter. The sneaker brand released the third installment of the Counter…
Converse Launches Essentials Apparel Collection
Converse is launching its own clothing line. The classic sneaker company is debuting the Converse Essentials…
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Converse <em>Launches</em> Essentials Apparel Collection
Converse is launching its own clothing line. The classic sneaker company is debuting the Converse Essentials…
Exclusive: Fabolous On His Favorite ’90s Sneakers And What’s Wrong With Sneaker Culture Now
The rapper plans on opening his own sneaker shop in the next year.
What’s an Athletic Shoe Anyway? The Footwear Industry Wants to Know
Taylor Swift might not be an athlete, but according to the U.S. government, her branded Keds sneakers are…
Converse Celebrates Japanese Culture with <em>Suminagashi</em> Release
Chuck Taylor is heading East for a bit of inspiration in latest limited-edition All Star pack by…
Mixed Results for Converse in Trademark Battle
Converse got some but not all of what it wanted Friday in a ruling on its 2014 lawsuit with 31 different…
<b>Converse</b> Debuts 1920s-Inspired All Star Modern
Converse is taking cues from its past while looking toward the future with the release of its newest All Star…
<b>Converse</b> Celebrates Pride with New All Star Pack
Converse has three colorful new Chuck Taylor All Star variants just in time for gay pride month. Inspired by…
Converse Debuts New <em>Woven</em> <b>Chuck II</b>
Converse had announced yet another new variation on its popular Chuck II line of sneakers with the debut of…
<b>Nike Inc.</b> Plays Musical Chairs With <em>Top Management</em>
Nike Inc. this week announced several key changes in management at its namesake Nike business and at…
Converse Launches <em>Lovejoy Art Program</em> to Benefit Local Artists
Converse is bringing together artists from around the world for a new program which seeks to support and…
Converse <em>Lightens Up</em> for Festival Season with Knit
Converse has announced the release of a new, lightweight variant of its popular Chuck Taylor All Star II line…
Converse’s Collab with Hiroshi Fujiwara Sells Out in One Day
Converse’s collaboration with Tokyo-based street culture icon and Fragment Design Founder, Hiroshi Fujiwara…