With the popularity of basketball, the Converse Corporation saw the need to develop a shoe that people could wear while playing basketball. After lots of research and development, the very first version of the All Star basketball shoe was produced in 1917.

It was the first mass produced basketball shoe in North America and would go on to be one of the most iconic shoes in the sports history. At the beginning, sales were steady but nothing groundbreaking. Enter Charles H. Taylor or Chuck Taylor as he was known by the masses.

Converse shoes have not been made in the USA since the company went bankrupt in 2001. Now Converse is owned by Nike and the brand's shoes have been made in different factories in China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia.

Taylor was a player and coach for the company's industrial basketball team, the “Converse All-Stars,” which was also the name of a style of sneakers he helped redesign. The company thought so much of his contributions, it added his name to the ankle patch in 1932.

Dominance on the basketball court. By 1955, Chucks are the #1 basketball shoe in America, and Converse owns 80% of the entire sneaker industry. Low-top All-Stars make their debut in 1957 to huge popularity. 90% of pro and college teams wear All-Stars.

While Converse made its name in the basketball sphere, the brand is also recognized as a wardrobe staple in skater closets, too. In the '90s, the sneaker gained popularity in the skate and punk scenes, and the label saw it as an opportunity to cater to another demographic.

Overall, the Chuck Taylor is an iconic shoe for the Converse brand, and with its two main materials - cotton canvas and rubber - it is bound to continue with its popularity for the foreseeable future, hopefully with gradual changes to its production methods to be as sustainable as possible for the price it sells at.

That's why the sneakers are often referred to as Converse Chuck Taylors. Taylor was sponsored by the Converse Company, called The Converse All Stars. From then, the sneaker's popularity grew and became the go-to shoe for many basketball players. After that, the shoe moved on to be worn by soldiers and Olympic athletes.

Converse started making an early basketball shoe in 1917 and redesigned it in 1922, when Chuck Taylor asked the company to create a better shoe with more support and flexibility. After Converse added Taylor's signature to the ankle patch they became known as Chuck Taylor All Stars.

While Converse made its name in the basketball sphere, the brand is also recognized as a wardrobe staple in skater closets, too. In the '90s, the sneaker gained popularity in the skate and punk scenes, and the label saw it as an opportunity to cater to another demographic.

It was first made in only black or white canvas. Today it is made in hundreds of colors and patterns, and also in leather. Because they can be cheap, they are good looking, they are sold in many colors and styles, they are quite comfy. They are also trendy, and they've been for a while.

As mentioned, Converse shoes are zero-drop shoes, which means that the amount of cushioning or the thickness of the sole is consistent from the heel to the toe. This can help improve balance and stability and provide a nice stable platform or base of support for lifting weights.

Converse has been making Chuck Taylor All Star and One Star sneakers since we started over a century ago, and now we work to make new street style classics. What you wear defines sport, street, and creative culture, and we've been redefining it with you all along.

Converse started making an early basketball shoe in 1917 and redesigned it in 1922, when Chuck Taylor asked the company to create a better shoe with more support and flexibility. After Converse added Taylor's signature to the ankle patch they became known as Chuck Taylor All Stars.

Converse are comfortable! I've always wondered how they can make a shoe that looks so bare on the outside, soft and comfortable on the inside. I can walk all over SxSW with a pair of Converse and never stop for a much needed foot break. Those who've been to SxSW know exactly what I'm talking about.

Converse (/ˈkɒnvərs/) is an American lifestyle brand that markets, distributes, and licenses footwear, apparel, and accessories.