Was the Sperry Top-Sider inspired by a dog named Prince? His cocker spaniel's ability to run nimbly over ice and snow intrigued Paul Sperry. Upon turning Prince's paw over, Sperry observed hundreds of tiny cracks and cuts in all directions. In turn, Sperry was anxious to return to his workshop to start his own experiments.
Grabbing a quarter-inch-thick piece of gum rubber, he began cutting a herringbone shape into the material with his pen knife. The first pair of boat shoes was a worn-out pair of sneakers with a quarter-inch piece of herringbone-patterned gum rubber glued to the bottom.
For more information on the involvement of Converse and Abercrombie & Fitch in the growth of the iconic boat shoe, visit Sperry's site.
Grabbing a quarter-inch-thick piece of gum rubber, he began cutting a herringbone shape into the material with his pen knife. The first pair of boat shoes was a worn-out pair of sneakers with a quarter-inch piece of herringbone-patterned gum rubber glued to the bottom.
For more information on the involvement of Converse and Abercrombie & Fitch in the growth of the iconic boat shoe, visit Sperry's site.
