Ah, the tennis shoe. Is there any footwear more versatile? Whether you're hitting the gym, running errands, or going out on a date, chances are your trusty tennis shoes will get the job done. But where did this humble shoe come from? Let's take a walk through history to find out...
The History Recapped
The first recorded instance of "tennis shoes" dates back to 1837, when Baldwin Lawey and Levi Hutchins patented a design for "rubber-soled shoes." The rubber soled shoes were a vast improvement over the leather-soled shoes of the time, as they offered much better traction and cushioning.
However, it would be another 60 years before sneakers as we know them today would come into existence.
In 1917, Converse Rubber Shoe Company released their now-iconic Chuck Taylor All Star sneaker. The shoe was designed for basketball players and quickly became popular with athletes in all sorts of different sports.
In 1925, Paul Sperry invented the first boat shoe, which featured non-slip soles inspired by his dog's ability to run across icy surfaces without slipping. And in 1932, Adolf "Adi" Dassler founded Adidas, which would go on to become one of the most popular sneaker brands in the world.
In the second half of the 20th century, sneakers became increasingly popular with non-athletes as well. In the 1960s, young people began wearing sneakers as a way to rebel against traditional dress codes.
In 1972, Nike released their now-famous "Moon Shoe," which was worn by runners in that year's Olympic Games.
In 1986, Run-DMC famously gave Adidas some free publicity by rapping about how they were "gonna rock these kicks" in their song "My Adidas."
And in 1989, Spike Lee released Do The Right Thing, a film that helped propel Nike's Air Jordan line to new heights of popularity.
Conclusion:
Tennis shoes have come a long way since their humble beginnings in the early 1800s. Today, they are an essential part of many people's wardrobes thanks to their versatility and comfortable design. So next time you slip on your favorite pair of sneakers, take a moment to appreciate all the history (and fashion) that came before them!
And by the way. Tennis shoes are still evolving, especially in design and colors. Tap the button below to see Womens Pink Tennis Shoes and check the last one listed. It is truly unique!
