The company that manufactures Converse shoes originated in 1908 when Marquis M. Converse established the Converse Rubber Company in Malden, Massachusetts. They began producing shoes in 1909. Over the last ninety years, the company has grown to become one of the most influential footwear manufacturers in the U.S. Probably the most important development for Converse as a brand was when it introduced the canvas All Star basketball shoe in 1917. When Charles “Chuck” H. Taylor leant his endorsement to the shoe it became the biggest selling shoe in the basketball shoe market. Taylor later became a salesperson for the company. His signature was added to the ankle patch of the shoe in 1923, and the shoe style became known as the Chuck Taylor® All Star®. Over 550 million pairs of the Chuck Taylor® All Star® have been sold and this makes it one of the most successful styles of shoe ever.