Stephen Stone
Stephen Stone, 84, who lead the Converse Rubber Co. into world leadership with the development and production of the Chuck Taylor basketball shoe, died May 27th at his home in Wareham, MA.
Stone was at the helm of the Converse Rubber Co. during the 1950s and 1960s when he helped develop the vulcanized rubber and canvas basketball shoe, one of the most popular athletic shoes ever developed.
The company became one of the largest producers of rubber products in New England, making rubber boots, overshoes and foul weather products for sailing gear.
Converse produced the first sneaker designed for basketball in 1917 by taking the rubber ankle support from inside the shoe and placing it on the outside and placing the Converse star on it. In 1921 Chuck Taylor an outstanding basketball player from Indiana joined the company, redesigned the shoe and put his signature on it. In the 1970s, following years of international popularity, its sales began to slip as other makers entered the field. It has been estimated that the Converse Chuck Taylor shoes were worn by over a billion fans.
The Stone family sold Converse in 1972 and stone retired as president of the company. He is survived by his wife, two sons, two daughters, a sister and two granddaughters.
