The United States Shoe Corporation history

1935 - Paul Sperry experimented with various sole designs for superior traction (after observing his dog's grip on icy surfaces); developed the "Top-Sider"; struck manufacturing deal with Converse

Soon demand exceeded production, and by 1939 the Red Cross shoe had become the most popular brand in the United States.

Blahnik, Manolo, 1942- ; Shoemakers--England--Biography.

Harold R. Quimby (1946). Pacemakers of Progress; the Story of Shoes and the Shoe Industry (Chicago, IL: Hide and Leather Publishing Co., 346 p.). Shoe industry--History; Footwear industry--United States.

The Red Cross label was reinstated on the condition that the company publicly disclaim any association with the American National Red Cross, and the energetic Joseph S. Stern, Sr., became chairman of the board in 1947, a post he would hold for the next 18 years.

The board of directors of United States Shoe voluntarily suspended use of the name; the Federal Trade Commission allowed the resumption of its use in 1948.

In 1955, when shoe production reached 100,000 pairs a week, more factories had to be bought.

In 1956 the company was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

In 1957 United States Shoe acquired rights to the brand name Selby.

In 1961 the company entered the lucrative children's shoe market with the purchase of Vaisey-Bristol Shoe Company, maker of Jumping-Jacks and other children's brands.

(Morlands), Russell McDonough (1962). Sheep into Shoes: The Development of Warm-Lined Footware. (Glastonbury, UK: Morlands, 64 p.). Morlands; Footwear industry--Great Britain--History. llustrated history of Morlands warm-lined footwear (on retirement of H F Scott Stokes after 40 years).

(Converse Rubber Shoe Company), Elizabeth Kaufman (1966). American Story. (Penobscot, ME: Traversity Press: Penobscot, Me., Traversity Press, 114 p.). Sister of Converse Owner.

(Bata Shoe), Antonin Cekota (1968). Entrepreneur Extraordinary: The Biography of Tomas Bata. (Rome, Italy: Edizioni Internazionali Sociali, 383 p.). Bata, Tomas; footwear -- history; entrepreneurship.

In 1970, the company purchased Casual Corner, a women's apparel firm.

(John Lobb), Brian Dobbs (1972). The Last Shall Be First: The Colourful Story of John Lobb the St James's Bootmakers. (London, UK: Elm Tree Books, 147 p.). John Lobb (Firm); Footwear industry--Great Britain--History.

In 1980 a new office park and complex for United States Shoe was dedicated in Cincinnati.

The largest number of stores belonged to Casual Corner, a highly successful national retail chain; the runner-up was Petite Sophisticate, purchased in 1983 and one of the first major United States chains geared to petite women.

September 1985 - Reebok agreed to pay $118 million in cash for privately-owned walking-shoe manufacturer Rockport

(Red Wing Shoe Company), Patrice Avon Marvin, Nicholas Curchin Vrooman (1986). Heart and Sole: A Story of the Red Wing Shoe Company. (Red Wing, MN: The Company, 293 p.). Red Wing Shoe Company--History; Red Wing (Minn.)--History.

In fact, the clothing division of United States Shoe by 1989 was the second-largest group of women's apparel stores in the United States, almost all of them located in shopping malls.

A new chief executive officer, Bannus B. Hudson, elected in 1990, met with skepticism from industry observers because of his inexperience in shoe and women's apparel retailing.

In 1991 United States Shoe decided to sell Ups "N" Downs.

In 1995, the Luxottica Groups SpA eventually acquired the United States Shoe Corporation and continued to operate many of the original company's business ventures.

Tom Vanderbilt (1998). The Sneaker Book: Anatomy of an Industry and an Icon. (New York, NY: New Press, 177 p.). Footwear industry; Sneakers; Athletic shoes.

(Manolo), Colin McDowell (2000). Manolo Blahnik. (New York, NY: HarperCollins, 200 p.). Fashion Historian and Writer.

(Endicott-Johnson), Ed Aswad and Suzanne M. Meredith (2003). Endicott-Johnson. (Portsmouth, NH: Arcadia, 128 p.). Johnson, George F. (George Francis), b.

Giorgio Riello and Peter McNeil (2006). Shoes: A History from Sandals to Sneakers. (New York, NY: Berg, 448 p.). Research Officer in Global History at the London School of Economics; Professor of Design History, University of Technology, Sydney.

A. Benckiser, investment arm of Reimann family),agreed to acquire Jimmy Choo, high-end shoe and accessories company, from TowerBrook Capital Partners (acquired company in 2007), private equity firm, and minority shareholders for undisclosed sum (120 stores, valued company at about $800 million).

Marquis Mills Converse (http://autonomieproject.files.wordpress.com/2008/04/converse.jpg)