And character goes a long way.
While the prototypical brand of athletic footwear changed only slightly in it's 80 year history, the latest revision is not only cosmetic in nature, but also it's most disheartening.
Falling to ever widening globalization, the familiar "Made in USA" stamped on the heel of each pair of 'Chucks' will be no more with the closing of the Converse Inc. plant in Lumberton, North Carolina as well as factories in Mission, Texas and Reynosa, Mexico.
Being forced into bankruptcy in January, the 93-year-old company sold off all rights to produce and distribute the Converse line to foreign suppliers through licensing agreements, effectivly ending a chapter of Americana that generations grew up with.
Long before Air Jordans ever hit their stride, the Chuck Taylor All Star was making it's mark as the original basketball shoe of choice for such NBA stars as Oscar Robertson and Bob Cousy. Even Wilt Chamberlain wore a pair of the fabled footwear the night of his record-setting 100 point game.
Now worn more for leasure than sinking baskets, All Stars have experienced a renewed interest with baby boomers seeking a tie to their past as well as carving out a niche as a fasion statement with Gen X urbanites.
Over 550 million pairs of the shoes have been sold since they were introduced, with over 10 million pairs rolling out annually from the Lumberton, N.C. plant prior to its closing.
Although the original All Star brand first began churning out in 1917, it wasn't until years later when a jumpshooter of modest talent took interest in the product and introduced the line to the basketball community that the shoe's popularity took off.
Charles "Chuck" Taylor took to the barnstorming circuit following his graduation from high school touring with such teams as the Buffalo Germans and Akron Firestones. It would still be another 25 years until the National Basketball League would be organized, and traveling with various freelance teams was the order of the day for those seeking a living in the sport.
Pitching his prowess for salesmanship to Converse, as well as his connection to the game, Taylor hit the road once again - this time as a representative of the company. Taylor drove to small towns across the nation promoting the shoes and conducting basketball clinics.
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