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First, let's begin with what exactly "kicksology" means. According to Urban Dictionary, kicksology is the study of shoes, 'kicks', sneakers or any other type of footwear. With the birth of basketball, so was the beginning of what is now known as the Sneaker Era. Sneakers in the basketball world play a very important role. Not only with their technology to help improve the player's game, but the All-Star player who represents the sneaker.
It is believed that the very first sneaker used for the game of basketball were the Converse All Stars, created in the 1917. It was with Charles Goodyear's discovery in vulcanization of rubber, that sneakers were even possible to invent. Over the years, the Sneaker Era will be broken down to represent different time periods of the basketball sneaker. Not just in its advances in technology but socially.
First, there was what is known as the Classic Era, spanning from 1920-1984. Selling over 500 million pair, the Original Chuck Taylors, with their rubber soles were the best selling sneaker for forty years. However, taken over by Nike and the debut of Air Force 1 in 1983, which were the first basketball sneaker using an air sole. Having this new technology at the time separated the company from their competitors and placed them in the lead of basketball sneakers.
Next, came the Jordan Era, from 1985-1993, where one man paved the way for sneaker endorsements as we know today. Icon, Michael Jordan, not only influenced the game but the sneakers worn at the time. Defined as the "pinnacle" of basketball shoes. The original pump was also marketed at this time, first by Reebok, then by Nike. The Pump technology allowed the shoe-wearer to "pump" air into the shoe
From 1994-1998 marked the Golden Era, bringing in some other major players into the sneaker market. Evening the playing field. Michael had just retired from the NBA and sneaker makers, such as, Nike needed new faces. Reebok also responded by finding their best in the league to help advertise and sell their products. Along with new ad campaigns, came new technology and materials and design concepts making every sneakers made in this era "golden."
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ReplyDeleteOOOH! A particular passion of mine! The Converse, or chucks!!! Because of sports, and because of the publicity, chucks are still one of the hottest shoes to sell on the market. You can barely walk anywhere without seeing someone wearing a pair. I myself probably have ten of them ranging in colors from hot pink, to classic black, to clear plastic. This generation of sneakers birthed a passion that is shown today.
ReplyDeleteThe Air Force 1's are probably one of the HOTTEST shoes to sell to the "ghetto" community, if you will. This was especially clear when famous rapper, Nelly, came out with the song about Air Force 1's. Suddenly Air Force's sales skyrocketed. Basketball paved the way for an individual to choose.
It's funny to see that for each generation of basketball shoes, it targets a different set of society today. The endorsements for the “best” sneaker are everywhere. Big names are hammered into our brains as the ONLY shoe brand one would buy. Nowadays, sneakers, such as chucks, are a statement. People make pictures of these sneakers and draw on them and create their own art with it. Sneakers, especially in sports, aren’t only about looking good, science has allowed us to make them comfortable and some even give you air in the sole so your feet don’t sweat.
-Brittney
The blog posting on kicksology really grabbed my attention. I am a total shoe lover (I own over 100 pairs) and while most of them are heels about 12 years ago I had an obsession with sneakers like many kids in their teens. Back then we even called them kicks!
ReplyDeleteSneakers fall into two main categories - function and fashion. Science has helped create sneakers that they claim can help you run faster and jump higher. They make sneakers for every type of sport or activity. Through research and development specialized sneakers allow the user to have better foot control while performing a particular activity. They also have made advances to make them as comfortable as possible because many times an athlete or person may be wearing them for a very long time.
Art has expanded the world of footwear tremendously. Not only is art used to design a sneaker but it is also used to enhance a sneaker. Some custom designed sneakers can run as high as $500.00 a pair!
Certain types of sneakers have become part of society’s pop culture because of the way that they look or because of the name attached to them (i.e. Air Jordan’s – named for Basketball Player Michael Jordan).
Whether your sneakers are for function or fashion it is neat to know that there is a whole science behind the study of “kicks”.
~Angela (A Bag of Tricks)
Well now that I've been schooled in Kicksology, I must say... Very nice job! Your theme is pretty awesome! I agree with Brittney: chucks are flippin sweet, although I myself only own one pair of blacks (They make my feet look longer than they are.) Anyway, I never knew that "Kicks" had so much interesting background info! You certainly put a lot of thought and thorough research into this blog. Once again, VERY nice job!
ReplyDelete-Kelly
WOW 500 million pairs. Usually when we talk about fashion I think about something periodical that doesn`t last long and usually replaced by a new fashion. It seems that nothing else could replace sneakers for a long period of time (The classic era- 1920-1984 and much longer). It is amazing that they found the right shoe for the right people and just made it work big time. Sneakers aren`t my favorite and I actually think they aren`t as comfortable as other shoes. But the inventor knew how to make it with regard the marketing aspect. The design of the shoe is kind of unique and it definitely caught the attentions of many during the whole history of its existence.
ReplyDeleteSociety puts demands on products, such demands are made by fashion, hobbies, interests or in this case the sports people play, etc… Athletes adore sports, can become consumed by them, whether you enjoy the fitness, the competition, or just the fun of it, sports are something people play very often. The advances of sports equipment, playing conditions, even the perfect sneaker can greatly affect the comfort or quality of game of the athlete. Kicksology is explored interestingly in this post. You see the scientific evolution of the sneaker and basketball players and athletic society demanding advancement in the sneaker. Nike pumps seem effective, but Converse AllStars never really seemed that comfortable. But then I thought in 1917, vulcanized rubber invented recently I’m sure it was an exciting advancement to have the smallest amount of shock absorbed in the thin rubber sole. Man, Converse has even made an art of the sneaker, they offer an immense variety of patterns and every color imaginable!
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that these shoes have sold over 500 million pairs, thats more than enough for every single person in the United States to all be wearing these. I will admit that I had a pair of these as a kid, ever since I saw the movie Sandlot I had to have them. They have become more of a nostalgic collectors item for me. They usually are just sitting in my room, and everyone always gets a kick out of them when they walk in. I guess my friends think that I'm living in the 70's or something.
ReplyDeleteI cannot believe that Converse's were the first shoes that basketball players wore; I would have never imagined those types of sneakers for basketball. I was sure that Nike's would have been the first sneakers worn in basketball. I also did not know that Converses have been around since 1917, I remember wearing them as a child and I also buy them now for my 3 year old. They have been around for many years and are still very popular!
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