Free Republic

As one of the most popular shoes in the world, there are few people who don't own a pair of Converse All-Stars. But Penny Gold loves them more than most. The retired teacher, 63, from Lake Mary, Florida, has just been named a world record holder for her 733-strong collection by the World Records Academy. Mrs Gold, who is now submitting an application to Guinness World Records in the hope that it too will award her a title, told how she started collecting Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars when she was a child living in Brooklyn, New York. She admits...

OS ANGELES --In a deal with cultural significance that far outweighs its monetary value, Nike Inc., the $10.7 billion-a-year maker of the world's highest-tech sneakers, will pay about $305 million to acquire Converse Inc., the 95-year-old maker of some of the world's lowest-tech ones. Nike will also assume some Converse debt. Converse posted $205.3 million in sales in 2002. This came mostly from the enduring popularity of the rubber-toed canvas Chuck Taylor All-Star sneakers that, for many high school and college kids, have come to represent the antithesis of Nike. Although the simple, $35 shoes boast high profit margins...