They are instantly recognizable. Converse sneakers have a distinct style that cannot be mistaken. But are you familiar with its great and rich past? What began as a modest shoe company in 1908 evolved into a legendary tale that epitomizes what it means to be an American icon via fashion.

The Beginning

In any sector, many of the most recognizable names in the world have rich histories that start in unexpected places. In the same way, Marquis Mills Converse created Converse in Malden, Massachusetts. During its early years, the business produced galoshes and other rubber shoes suitable for cold climates. Their original name, Converse Rubber Shoe Company, came from the bulky rubber shoes they produced.

Converse made their shoes seasonally, but the popularity of basketball led them to design a shoe that would hold up on the court. Their seasonal production facility abruptly became a full-time enterprise. The Converse All-Star basketball sneaker was introduced in 1917.

Meet the Originals

The Big Nine of 1919 came before the All Star. It was given that moniker because of its nine key characteristics, which highlighted comfort and stability in particular. The Big Nine was made in white and brown and advertised to men, women, and children alike. Double stitching, a genuine horsehide ankle patch, duck lining and top, leather laces, a cork footbed, a supportive foot form last, a reinforced toe, and a durable outsole with a big "C" mark were among the nine features.

After the Big Nine's triumph, two more models joined the competition. Incredible responsiveness was a priority when designing the Sure Foot. They had exceptional rebounding ability and were punchy, bouncy shoes. Similar to the Sure Foot, the Collegiate had a lighter build and was noted for its durability.

The Non-Skid followed in its wake. The shoe gained widespread recognition as "the all-American basketball sneaker" and became an instant hit with athletes. It expanded on the Big Nine's concept by offering additional support thanks to its carefully crafted foot form last, which increased toe box room and encouraged a better fit above the instep. Their defining feature was a form-fitting back seam that improved the fit around the ankle.

The Chuck Taylor Connection

When Charles H. "Chuck" Taylor joined Converse as a sales representative in 1922, things underwent a significant change. After a brief stint playing basketball for several different teams as a semi-professional, he did this. It's interesting to note that Taylor's mother was instrumental in developing the best sales plan for moving the most pairs of shoes. She questioned him about who had actually bought the shoes for the basketball players. The coaches, he informed her.

She capitalized on that insight by advising him to market to potential customers instead of the actual players. Taylor established a reputation as a true basketball ambassador by using his unique expertise in the sport. He conducted clinics so that he could impart his extensive understanding of the game to aspiring athletes and even coaches. He was just an expert at the game—and at closing big deals.

For players on the Converse All Stars club squad, he produced the Converse Basketball Yearbook, which was jam-packed with images, reports, and tactical advice. Being a part of it was a privilege, and any player could receive it as long as they wore Converse sneakers. In essence, basketball and Converse had wed to form one new world. The two were interchangeable, and it was all because to Taylor's marketing initiatives.

More than that, he contributed significantly to the development of innovative designs and engineering ideas for the shoe company. Taylor's business sense enabled the Non-Skid, which was later renamed the All-Star, to get a makeover. He increased its flexibility and stability while also enhancing its support by adding the now-famous circular logo patch to the ankle. Converse honored him with his own name on the shoe's ankle patch in 1934 as a result of his extensive and important contributions. The Chuck Taylor All Star had replaced the All Star.

Humble Rise & Falls

Converse could have decided there and then to become a sort of national basketball player's unofficial sneaker. However, because of how cozy and fashionable it was, it quickly became popular in other fields. It was designated as the 1936 Olympics' official shoe. The American men's basketball team debuted a set of clean white Converse sneakers with red and blue stripes hugging the sides for these contests.

These weren't your typical flag-themed footwear. They were the now-iconic Chuck Taylors, and they inspired the team to a remarkable victory of 19-8 despite the terribly low score. Due to the high expectations that individuals had for their athletic footwear, the shoe gained a reputation as being of an elite caliber. The final goal was to design a shoe that offered the best possible ground grip. After redesigning the tread, the company saw an increase in sales.

Converse had a dip in the 1970s after decades of sustained popularity. Other companies offered fierce competition, and several of them formed partnerships with elite athletes by paying them significant sums of money to wear their gear on the court. Converse, in comparison, has never compensated athletes, and they didn't have an endorsement agreement with Julius "Dr. J" Erving until 1975. His long-lasting association with the brand has just begun. 

However, outdated technology also made it difficult for Converse to compete. Athletes were adopting more supportive footwear with stronger rubber soles and smooth leather uppers, even if everyone still enjoyed their fun Converse sneakers. There were many other brands, including Nike and Adidas, and it didn't take long for their performance footwear to dominate the market.

Converse All Star sneakers, on the other hand, were last seen on a professional basketball court during the 1979–80 campaign, on Atlanta Hawks center Tree Rollins. $5,000 was given to him for the endorsement.

From the Court to the Street

One hypothesis was that Converse sneakers were simply too sporty and specialized for wear outside of the court. But throughout the years, the brand was accepted for its laid-back appeal. Converse were commonly worn by many of the finest musical groups of the 1970s, such as Blondie, the Ramones, and the Talking Heads. Marty McFly, played by Michael J. Fox, wore them the entire time in the 1980 film Back to the Future. In Ferris Bueller's Day Off, they were seen on Ferris Bueller. In Sixteen Candles, Molly Ringwald rocked hers.

Musicians accepted the shoe as a standard during the 1990s. Famously, Kurt Cobain wore his all the time; in fact, the company teamed up with Courtney Love in 2008 to produce a limited-edition line of Cobain-inspired shoes bearing his original artwork. Since then, they have appeared on songs by some of the biggest artists in the world, such as Green Day, The Strokes, Ed Sheeran, and the Foo Fighters.

The Nike Purchase

Converse's sales declined sharply over the years despite being widely popular. They were unable to recover from fierce competition, and as they faced debt, they repeatedly declared bankruptcy. The baggage posed no threat to Nike, who bought the business in 2003 in order to capitalize on the brand's widespread street appeal.

In many ways, it was a wise investment. Converse experienced a spike in popularity, while Nike increased its foothold in the lifestyle market. It resulted in partnerships with numerous notable members of the fashion industry, including Off-White, Maison Margiela, and Comme des Garçons.