The first rubber-soled shoes were manufactured in the 1800s, but the modern sneaker didn't gain cultural prominence until the 1950s. Here are some other memorable moments in the history of the sneaker from The Journal News
1917: Converse releases the world's first performance basketball shoe, the Converse All Star.
1923: The All Star turns into the Chuck Taylor All Star, a shoe still beloved today.
1935: Converse releases the Jack Purcell, snapped up by early Hollywood stars.
1950s: Sneakers become a symbol of rebellion when James Dean is photographed in white kicks and Levis. Teenagers worldwide, from bikers to cheerleaders, start to wear sneakers.
1968: Puma is the first sports shoe maker to introduce Velcro fasteners.
1973: Runner Steve Prefontaine becomes the first major athlete to wear Nike running shoes.
1982: Nike releases the Air Force One.
1985: A Chicago Bulls rookie named Michael Jordan endorses a line of Nike shoes and apparel. The first Air Jordan is released.
1986: Run-DMC releases the song "My Adidas" and lands a landmark endorsement deal, sparking the now-ubiquitous trend of using hip-hop artists in promotional campaigns.
2003: Rapper Jay-Z launches his S. Carter line of sneakers with Reebok, making him the first non-athlete to have a signature athletic footwear collection.
2005: Jordan Brand celebrates its 20th anniversary with the release of the Jordan XX sneaker.
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