The U.S. Rubber Co. made the first rubber-soled, canvas sneaker in 1892! They were so-named because compared to hard-soled shoes they were so quiet you could sneak up on someone. (Photo shows their 1916 Champion line.)
By 1917, the company mass-produced the sneakers they called KEDS. That same year, Converse introduced a shoe made exclusively for basketball players, the Converse All-Stars, and the competition was on, the athletic shoes competition, that is.
A German company, Adidas, jumped into the fray getting a big boost when Jesse Owens wore Adidas throughout the 1936 Olympics as he won his four gold medals.
Tennis shoes became a fashion statement during the 1950s. Sales soared in 1984 with Michael Jordan's signing of a contract for Nike Air Jordans.
And, oh yes, the U.S. Rubber Co. did make tires.
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(Photo:By Daderot [CC0], from Wikimedia Commons)
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