Converse

Marquis M. Converse was a former footwear company manger in the Boston area. In 1908, Mr. Converse took initiative and launched his self-branded shoe line - Converse Rubber Shoe Company in Malden, Ma. They manufactured rubber-sole shoes. More specifically; winterized rubber soled footwear for men, women and children. Seven years later (1915) the brand branched into producing athletic shoes. Converse’s first sneaker was designed for tennis players. Over the next couple of years other sports were researched by the sneaker manufacturer and in 1917, the Converse All-Star basketball shoe was introduced.

In 1921, basketball player Charles (“Chuck”) H. Taylor walked into Converse, complaining of sore feet. He became sold on the All-Star basketball shoe – and Converse gave him a job pitching and selling the sneaker to people nationwide. After two hard years of work, and a tremendous increase in the sales of All-Star sneakers, Converse added Chuck Taylor’s signature to the sneaker’s All-Star patch logo. Mr. Taylor continued working for Converse another 40 years before his death in 1969.

Upon entering World War II in 1941, many companies helped in the war effort. Converse shifted their sneaker production to manufacturing footwear, apparel, boots, parkas, rubber protective suits and even ponchos specifically designed for pilots and troops.Converse enjoyed tremendous success as the self-titled “king of sneakers” for decades until the late 70s when rival brands like Adidas and Nike began to emerge. Later, Reebok, took a further chunk out of Converse’s one-time monopoly. Converse also lost their official status as shoe of the National Basketball Association. It was a title they had enjoyed for many years and had kept the brand thriving. Inevitably, Converse filed for bankruptcy in 2001. After the brand changed hands that same year – the last U.S. factory was closed and production for the shoes was moved overseasIn July of 2003, Converse accepted a $305 million purchase offer from rival Nike.

2008 marked the 100-year anniversary of the brand. To celebrate, limited-edition Converse sneakers have been launching on a near-weekly basis.

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