Converse Trainers, or as they are more commonly known as "Converse All-Stars" were first produced in 1917 when the converse band set out to capture the basketball shoe market with their innovative rubber soled designs. Initially the brand didn't encounter much success until Chuck Taylor, the infamous basketball player, started to wear the shoes himself. They became an instant hit. Chuck became the shoes leading salesman, and he got heavily involved in the design ideas for the footwear and after making a few changes to their current design the shoe got Chuck Taylor's signature on its ankle All Stars patch.