Converse Shoes

Canadian badminton athlete John Edward "Jack" Purcell designed a canvas and rubber sneaker for the B.F. Goodrich Company of Canada in 1935. He designed the shoe to provide more protection and support on courts. In the 1970s, Converse purchased the trademark rights to Purcell's sneakers - which it still produces and sells today. The shoe, which is similar in appearance to Converse's Chuck Taylor All-Stars, can be distinguished by the signature "smile" across the toe.