The Converse "company" main turning point came in 1917 when the canvas "All-Star" was introduced. Then in 1918, a basketball player named Charles H. "Chuck" Taylor walked into Converse complaining of sore feet. Converse gave him a job. His work as a salesman and ambassador, promoting the shoes around the U.S.A. so impressed Converse that in 1923, Chuck Taylor's name began appearing on the ankle patch, and the shoes became affectionately known as Chucks. He tirelessly continued this work until shortly before his death in 1969.
For decades, Chucks only came in black or white, but under pressure from basketball teams it was decided in 1966 to manufacture many different colors. Different materials started to appear also, such as leather, suede and vinyl, and even hemp, rather than just canvas. Despite the major setbacks for Converse in recent times, the Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star is the most successful shoe in history. By the turn of the 21st century, over 600 million pairs have been sold worldwide
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