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Chuck Taylor All Stars, or Converse All Stars, also referred to as "Converses", "Chuck Taylors", "All Stars", "Chucks" or "Cons", are canvas and rubber shoes produced by Converse. Theywere first produced in 1917 as the "All Star," Converse's attempt to capture the basketball shoe market. Chuck Taylor, a basketball player and shoe salesman for Converse, improved theshoe's design and became the product's spokesperson in the 1920s.
Converse Rubber Shoe Company was started by Marquis Mills Converse in 1908 in Malden, Massachusetts. In 1917, thecompany designed a shoe called the All Star. The shoe was composed of a rubber sole and canvas upper and was designed to be an elite shoe for the professional basketball league. In 1921, abasketball player by the name of Charles “Chuck” Taylor joined a basketball team sponsored by the Converse Company called The Converse All Stars. Taylor held basketball clinics in highschools all over the county and while teaching the fundamentals of the game, he sold the All Star shoes. As a salesman and athlete for the company, Taylor also made improvements to the shoehe loved. His ideas for the shoe were designed to provide enhanced flexibility and support and also incorporated a patch to protect the ankle. All Stars were soon worn by a variety ofprofessional basketball players and became the envy of all aspiring basketball players. Soon after, All Stars were being worn by athletes in the Olympics, and during World War II Americansoldiers began to wear All Stars while in training. In the 1960s, Converse began to expand their company and open more factories and by that time, Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars werebeing worn by ninety percent of professional and college basketball players. As the years went on, the shoe gained more popularity and became a favorite for numerous groups and subcultures.