Who Is Chuck Taylor?

In 1917, the Converse Rubber Shoe Company of Malden, Massachusetts revolutionized the sport of basketball, and the way it was played and marketed. The introduction of the Chuck Taylor basketball sneaker set in motion the performance sports footwear movement that dominates athletic footwear today. Chuck Taylor was an All-American high school basketball player, professional player and the biggest proponent of the game around the United States in the early 20th century.

  1. History

    • Charles "Chuck" Taylor was born June 24, 1901, and grew up outside Columbus, Indiana. Taylor was a star basketball player during high school in Indiana and played professionally across the United States, including with the original Boston Celtics. Taylor barnstormed around the country with several professional teams from Buffalo, Akron, Fort Wayne and Detroit. His exposure through professional ball made his chosen sneaker, the Converse All Star, a must-have for any aspiring player.

    Company Man

    • In 1921, Taylor went to the Converse sales office in Chicago looking for a job. He met with Bob Pletz and the two connected over a love of athletics and a passion for the Converse line. Pletz hired Taylor onto the management team and within two years several major changes were made to the All Star, including adding ankle-supporting high-top cuts, and a redesigned sole for added traction.

    1920s

    • After the redesign of the All Star, Taylor went back out on the road, barnstorming and running clinics to spread the game and the brand. In 1923, Converse adds the star logo and Taylor's signature to every pair of All Stars made. During the '20s, Taylor traveled the country nonstop, living out of his Cadillac selling sneakers and promoting basketball. His efforts helped make Converse synonymous with basketball.

    1930s

    • During World War II, Taylor was a consultant with the Army and Navy as a physical fitness coordinator and coached the Wright Air Force Base basketball team. Converse worked diligently during the war and was recognized with an excellence award from the government for his service throughout the war. Basketball exploded in popularity in the 1930s, and Converse rode that wave to record success. Taylor made the All Star the No. 1 basketball shoe, and the sneakers began to generate crossover appeal as "Chucks" started appearing on movie stars in major Hollywood films.

    Legacy

    • In 1968, Taylor went into the Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Massachusetts, with other legends of the game like Red Auerbach and Adolph Rupp. A tireless pioneer of the sport, Taylor is credited with spreading the game across America. Chuck Taylor's are still the best-selling shoe in the Converse line and have seen a resurgence in sales since Nike acquired the company in 2003.