In this book, shoe enthusiast Hal Peterson takes an in-depth look at the history, significance, and magic of âChucks.â Originally a rubber shoe company, Converse rolled out the canvas All Star in 1917, nicknamed âChucksâ for the basketball hall-of-famer, Charles âChuckâ Taylor, who was a lifelong promoter. The shoe quickly became a phenomenon that has lasted for nearly a century with a fanbase that has varied greatly. Though they have a simple, classic style, the many shoes photographed here make clear that true believers always find ways to individualize their favorite footwear, even though black was the only color available for almost fifty years.
Peterson explores trends in everything from lace styles to color schemes and highlights Converseâs feature that allows you to âdesign your own.â He also takes a look at the social importance of Chucks: appearing in sports, rock and roll, movies, and art, they are known as one of the most iconic examples of twentieth-century footwear design. What is it about this sneaker that makes it so culturally pervasive? With help from Converse-wearers, weâll find the answers.