MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Who is Chuck Taylor? Here's how Kamala Harris is looking cool wearing his iconic All-Stars Converse shoes

After Chuck Taylor’s signature was added to the All-Stars Logo which is placed on the ankle, the shoes came to be known as Chuck Taylor All Stars

Kamala Harris arrived in Milwaukee on Monday, September 7, to meet with the family of Jacob Blake. Besides the actual reason behind her first trip to Wisconsin or battleground state, which was to bring justice to Blake’s family and express concern for the victim’s well-being, the Vice Presidential candidate is making headlines for a completely different reason. Harris was spotted in Chuck Taylor All-Stars Converse and the internet couldn’t stop raving about it.  

Twitter is swamped with posts revolving around Harris' shoes, trending Nike’s Chuck Taylor All Star Converse, which many believe made the democrat look like a "Boss". Meanwhile, some are using the opportunity to share their love for the shoe line, which has been an all-time favorite among its customers. 

Sharing the clip which shows Harris get off the private plane, one user wrote, "Kamala Harris arrives in Milwaukee for meetings this afternoon in her black hightop Chuck Taylor Converse LIKE A BOSS." Complimenting Harris for rocking the pair, one user wrote, "BADASSERY right there!!!"

Another added, "And look at the way she handles those stairs!"

Who is Chuck Taylor? Here's a look at the genius behind the popularity of All-Stars Converse shoes.

Charles H "Chuck" Taylor was born in Indiana. He excelled in basketball and became the captain of the varsity team while he was still a high school sophomore. Taylor aced in several fields in later years as he helped the Converse All-Stars basketball team became widely known by serving as the salesman and promoter of Converse All-Stars basketball shoes. 

Taylor was hired as a salesperson for the Converse rubber shoe company in 1921. On his arrival, the shoes were remodeled to enhance their flexibility and support, specifically created to be worn while playing basketball. After Chuck Taylor’s signature was added to the All-Stars Logo which is placed on the ankle, the shoes came to be known as Chuck Taylor All Star. 

Apart from primarily contributing to the sales of shoes, which acquired nearly 70 to 80 percent of the basketball shoe market by the 1960s, Taylor also served for many years as the basketball promoter using basketball clinics. The clinics functioned for nearly three decades in high schools, college gyms and YMCAs around the US. 

During World War II, Taylor coached the Wright Fied Air-Tecs basketball team at the US Air Force base in Dayton, Ohio between 1944-45. He spent his retirement in Los Angeles, California, and died of a heart attack in 1969 in Florida. He was inducted into the Sporting Goods Hall of Fame in 1957 and into Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of fame in 1968. 

Going by what the majority of them have noted on Twitter, it looks like Harris' choice of shoes has brought back memories in them. One user wrote, "I’m GenX but got my first chucks about 3 years ago. They are Wonder Woman chucks, because, of course."

Another added, "Chucks Barbara! Those are Chuck Taylor Converse. We all better get a pair!"