History of Converse 1941 - 1976

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When America entered World War II in 1941, Converse shifted production to manufacturing footwear, apparel, boots, parkas, rubber protective suits, and ponchos for pilots and troops. In addition to production, Converse company designed the A6 Flying Boot worn by the U.S. Army Air Corps, sponsored scrap rubber drives, the War Savings Bond Tour, Red Cross blood drives, and supported servicemen with their newsletter Converse-ations. Employees at Converse also created a "Victory Garden" to support agricultural production. During the war, all soldiers were outfitted in Converse Chuck Taylor All Star shoes for basic training, and after the war, All Stars remained the standard government-issue athletic shoes for military and physical training. For its record-breaking production and war efforts, Converse company received a number of honors from the Army, Navy, and U.S. Treasury, including a prestigious "E" for Excellence award from the U.S. War Department. In 1949, the Basketball Association of America and the National League merged to become the NBA. Nearly all professional players wore Chuck Taylor All Star shoes by this time.

The Converse All Star was originally produced only in black, but after World War II, the company came under pressure from basketball teams to add additional colors. Converse yielded and a number of new colors were released in addition to the tradition black and white colorways. Hollywood gave Converse shoes a boost when actors and other celebrities wear them and help Converse All Star to transcend the world of athletic shoes to become an American cultural icon. Sneakers, especially Converse, became the preferred footwear of kids and teenagers and a symbol of youthful rebellion in the 1950's. These inexpensive shoes are work with jeans and a t-shirt by boys and skirts, sweaters, and ankle socks by girls. Film legend, James Dean officially sanctioned this fashion when he was photographed wearing jeans and white Converse sneakers. By 1955-56, Chucks are the #1 basketball shoe in America, and in 1957, seven year old Julius Erving, better known as "Dr. J," received his first pair of Chucks for $3.95 after pleading with his mother. This first pair of Chucks would launch the young Julius into a career and into basketball history when he creates a new above-the-rim style of play. Dr. J and his Converse shoes ushered in the game of basketball as we know it today.

During the 1960's and 70's, Converse released a parade of performance footwear, apparel, and accessories for basketball, tennis, football, track, and many other sports. Elite athletes lined up to wear Converse shoes and the line between sports and fashion begins to blur.

1962 Wilt Chamberlain of the Philadelphia warriors set the record for most points scored by one player in a single NBA game. The record of 100 points, established in Chucks, has never been broken.
1962 Converse releases a low-cut version of the popular All Star called the Converse All Star Oxford. The oxford soon made a relaxed, "west-coast" lifestyle statement and quickly became the shoe of choice for pro players.
1966 Converse adds seven new colors to the All Star line to coordinate with team uniforms.
1968 Chuck Taylor earned a spot in the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame.
1969 Long time champion of Converse, Chuck Taylor died.
1974 Converse introduced the "One Star," a low-cut performance shoe for basketball that was later adopted by surfers and skaters a statement for their alternative lifestyle.
1976 Dr. J endorsed Converse, putting his stamp on Converse's Pro Leather shoe. This shoe later became known as "The Dr. J."

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