2 Answers

On March 16, 1966, at 704 E. Broadway, in Anaheim, California, brothers Paul Van Doren, James Van Doren, and three other partners opened up their first store. The Van Doren Rubber Company was unique in that it manufactured shoes and sold them directly to the public. On that first morning, 12 customers purchased Vans deck shoes, which are now known as Authentic. The shoes made that day were ready for pick-up in the afternoon. (Wikipedia)

It is said that the first checkered Vans were worn by some dude in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High" a movie made in 1983 ... BUT

...my son and his friend drew checkers on their shoes with their ballpoint pens when they were in 7th grade in 1980. When CHECKERED Vans came out after 1983, he bought a pair and he has been wearing this style ever since, even tho he is 47 years old!!

So I ask you, WHO invented checkered Vans?

Colleen

When you're bored, you can play a game of checkers on the shoe. :)

"So I ask you, WHO invented checkered Vans?"

HA!, I invented the "egg mcmuffin" 5 years before McDonald's came out with it. I was making those breakfast sandwiches in a small store I was managing. They were a hit from the first day.

Van's website here