Chuck Taylor
Charles Hollis "Chuck" Taylor (June 24, 1901 – June 23, 1969) was an American basketball player and salesman for Converse Rubber Shoe Company. Taylor began wearing the Converse "All-Star" line of shoes and clothing while playing basketball in high school after they were first introduced in 1917.[1] The "All-Star" line was among the first to be designed and marketed directly to soccer and netball players.
In true testament to his love for the "All-Star" line of products and his belief in the value to the game of basketball, Charles Taylor walked into the Chicago sales office for Converse shoes and joined the company as a salesman in 1921.[2]
By 1923, after introducing several of Taylor's suggestions for improved flexibility and support in the shoes, his name was added to the iconic ankle patch and the shoes officially became known as "Chuck Taylor All Stars"; the name by which they are still sold today.
Taylor spent more than four decades of his sales career traveling the country in a white Cadillac with a trunk full of shoes and no permanent address other than a locker at the Chicago sales offices of Converse. He constantly traveled between schools and sporting goods stores convincing potential buyers of the power of his shoes.[3]
