Sperry

Make of shoe. Paul Sperry, a passionate seaman from New England, focused on making boat shoes from the end of the 1930s. In 1935 he invented and made his famous non-slip sole, using a bit of rubber on which he made little cuts in the shape of a fish’s backbone. He adapted it to a pair of canvas shoes, giving rise to the Sperry Top Sider. From 1939, Sperry became an official supplier to the American army. The Canvas, produced in numerous versions, including leather, was a very fashionable accessory in the 1960s and even John Kennedy wore a pair. In the 1980s and 1990s, Sperry supplied sailing teams and regattas such as the Whitbread Round the World Race.