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Converse is an American shoe company with a production output that primarily consists of sportswear and lifestyle brand footwear. The company has been in existence since 1908 and, in 2003, was purchased for $305 million (USD) as a subsidiary of Nike, Inc.. Converse manufactures its products under the One Star, Chuck Taylor All Star, and Jack Purcell trade names. Converse shoes are distinguished by a number of features, including the company's star insignia. In fact, the All Star's rubber sole, smooth rounded top, and wrap-around strip have become so recognizable that, in 2014, Converse filed a lawsuit before the U.S. International Trade Commission that accused Walmart, Skechers, Kmart, and 28 other retailers and manufacturers for trademark infringements. The effort was to preserve the shoe's authenticity rather than its function. A number of the litigants settled, including Fila and Iconix.〔Schiavenza, Matt, "Why Converse is Fighting to Keep All Stars Cool," The Atlantic, 15 October 2014.〕〔Butler-Young, Sheena, "Iconix and Fila Settle in Converse Lawsuit Saga," Footwear News, 9 April 2015.〕 In addition to footwear, the company sells other items globally through retailers in over 160 countries and through approximately 75 company-owned retail stores across the U.S. ==History== At age 47, Marquis Mills Converse, who was previously a respected manager at a footwear manufacturing firm, opened the Converse Rubber Shoe Company (unrelated to the Boston Rubber Shoe Company founded by fourth cousin Elisha Converse) in Malden, Massachusetts in February 1908. The company was a rubber shoe manufacturer, providing winterized rubber soled footwear for men, women, and children. By 1910, Converse was producing shoes daily, but it was not until 1915 that the company began manufacturing athletic shoes for tennis. The company's main turning point came in 1917 when the Converse All-Star basketball shoe was introduced. Then in 1921, a basketball player named Charles H. "Chuck" Taylor walked into Converse complaining of sore feet. Converse gave him a job: he worked as a salesman and ambassador, promoting the shoes around the United States, and in 1932 Taylor’s signature was added to the All Star patch on the classic, high-topped sneakers. He continued this work until shortly before his death in 1969. Converse also customized shoes for the New York Renaissance (the "Rens"), the first all-African American professional basketball team. On March 2, 1962, Wilt Chamberlain, an American basketball player for the Philadelphia Warriors, scored 100 points in a game while wearing his pair of Chucks, taking a 169–147 victory over the New York Knicks. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Converse (shoe company)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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