Comments on: World's oldest basketball shoes (hoax!) http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Wed, 19 Jun 2013 13:37:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Doctor Popular http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533765 Doctor Popular Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533765 yeah, I'm feeling totally duped. The shoes in the photo are obviously modern. They are made from http://colchesterrubberco.com/ who probably created the whole "first shoe" story to promote their "replicas". They still look good though. yeah, I’m feeling totally duped. The shoes in the photo are obviously modern. They are made from http://colchesterrubberco.com/ who probably created the whole “first shoe” story to promote their “replicas”.

They still look good though.

]]> By: ackpht http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533766 ackpht Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533766 I'm with Aaron. Smells like marketing. I’m with Aaron. Smells like marketing.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533772 Brainspore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533772 The near-pristine condition of the rubber alone is enough to make me doubt that the shoes in that photo are really 116 years old. The near-pristine condition of the rubber alone is enough to make me doubt that the shoes in that photo are really 116 years old.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533780 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533780 natural rubber in an airtight container might last that well. natural rubber in an airtight container might last that well.

]]> By: Angstrom http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533782 Angstrom Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533782 yep, I'm calling hoax too. Even on the site of the 'colchester rubber company' the designs they show are very very different to this shoe. an image of their various 'Bals' http://0301.netclime.net/1_5/0dd/13c/33d/skgi_3429416_26779.JPG See others in the gallery. None at all look like this 'ancient' shoe. yep, I’m calling hoax too.
Even on the site of the ‘colchester rubber company’ the designs they show are very very different to this shoe.
an image of their various ‘Bals’
http://0301.netclime.net/1_5/0dd/13c/33d/skgi_3429416_26779.JPG

See others in the gallery. None at all look like this ‘ancient’ shoe.

]]> By: membrain http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-534039 membrain Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-534039 I would totally just wear them daily. How cool is it running around in 116 year old shoes? (Although I, too, believe it is a hoax.) I would totally just wear them daily. How cool is it running around in 116 year old shoes? (Although I, too, believe it is a hoax.)

]]> By: EscapingTheTrunk http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533785 EscapingTheTrunk Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533785 Before reading the headline, I assumed they were Gibsons. Before reading the headline, I assumed they were Gibsons.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533791 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533791 ahh, I see: "Heritage Branding" ahh, I see: “Heritage Branding”

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533793 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533793 page 3 http://www.rubber-stichting.info/natuurrubber/Natuurrubber%2022.pdf page 3
http://www.rubber-stichting.info/natuurrubber/Natuurrubber%2022.pdf

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533794 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533794 Natural rubber is very long-lasting. Black rubber not so much. The black is added to make the rubber wear out faster so that you'll buy new shoes and tires. Natural rubber is very long-lasting. Black rubber not so much. The black is added to make the rubber wear out faster so that you’ll buy new shoes and tires.

]]> By: Brainspore http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533805 Brainspore Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533805 @ Antinous #17: Do you have any data behind that claim? I've had plenty of rubber products that didn't have any black added and they seem to wear out just as fast. @ Antinous #17:

Do you have any data behind that claim? I’ve had plenty of rubber products that didn’t have any black added and they seem to wear out just as fast.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533810 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533810 It's a planned obsolescence horror story I've heard since the seventies. It could be an urban legend, I suppose. I can't find any citations. It’s a planned obsolescence horror story I’ve heard since the seventies. It could be an urban legend, I suppose. I can’t find any citations.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533831 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533831 basket ball was invented in 1891, and these shoes were made in 1892 specifically for a sport invented just a year prior? basket ball was invented in 1891, and these shoes were made in 1892 specifically for a sport invented just a year prior?

]]> By: Guesstimate Jones http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533839 Guesstimate Jones Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533839 Looks like a nice alternative to Chucks, but expensive. I still want to get a pair of those Chinese Worker shoes, but w/o the obnoxious logo...anybody know where you can buy 'em? Looks like a nice alternative to Chucks, but expensive. I still want to get a pair of those Chinese Worker shoes, but w/o the obnoxious logo…anybody know where you can buy ‘em?

]]> By: retrojoe http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533842 retrojoe Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533842 @ #17 The complete opposite is true. Black pigment (specifically 'carbon black') in rubber actually increases strength and has for over 100 years. This discovery was tied to early vulcanization methods. Black also improves UV resistance. It also makes color consistency very simple due to varying formulas of natural and synthetic rubbers, which are sometimes layered through a tire. Lastly, they also hide dirt. Even white walls are a nightmare to keep looking clean. Can you imagine the frustration of an all white tire (which have historically been available, such as on early Harley Davidsons)? It's not in a tire company's best interest to make a quickly wearing tire anyway. There are far too many opportunities for legal action if a tire fails because the manufacturer intentionally made them weak. Besides, you can buy 'soft' tires for high performance applications. These tires are gummy and grip the road surface. But they do not last one third as long the tires on your grocery getter. @ #17

The complete opposite is true. Black pigment (specifically ‘carbon black’) in rubber actually increases strength and has for over 100 years. This discovery was tied to early vulcanization methods. Black also improves UV resistance. It also makes color consistency very simple due to varying formulas of natural and synthetic rubbers, which are sometimes layered through a tire. Lastly, they also hide dirt. Even white walls are a nightmare to keep looking clean. Can you imagine the frustration of an all white tire (which have historically been available, such as on early Harley Davidsons)?

It’s not in a tire company’s best interest to make a quickly wearing tire anyway. There are far too many opportunities for legal action if a tire fails because the manufacturer intentionally made them weak. Besides, you can buy ‘soft’ tires for high performance applications. These tires are gummy and grip the road surface. But they do not last one third as long the tires on your grocery getter.

]]> By: GauchoAmigo http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533845 GauchoAmigo Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533845 Want. Want.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533850 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533850 Another conspiracy theory shot down. Another conspiracy theory shot down.

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-534141 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-534141 at what point is viral egregious? at what point is viral egregious?

]]> By: Takuan http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-534142 Takuan Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-534142 keeping in mind primates have always lied but a webbed world changes what is potentially at stake. keeping in mind primates have always lied but a webbed world changes what is potentially at stake.

]]> By: Clayton Hove http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533888 Clayton Hove Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533888 ...and man are they ripe! …and man are they ripe!

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-541842 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-541842 I think the Colchester's are much better looking than the William Gibson sneakers and a hell of a lot cheaper. I believe the story is true. I think the Colchester’s are much better looking than the William Gibson sneakers and a hell of a lot cheaper. I believe the story is true.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533654 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533654 We know our kicks here in eastern Connecticut! We know our kicks here in eastern Connecticut!

]]> By: Doctor Popular http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533663 Doctor Popular Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533663 Those look amazing! I would have imagined it would have taken longer to refine the basketball shoe, but these shoes come from around the same time as creation of the sport itself and they look modern. Here is some more pics and info http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz-k2ENd5pU Those look amazing! I would have imagined it would have taken longer to refine the basketball shoe, but these shoes come from around the same time as creation of the sport itself and they look modern.

Here is some more pics and info http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rz-k2ENd5pU

]]> By: Kit10inDublin http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533665 Kit10inDublin Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533665 They do look so modern and contemporary. The design has obviously endured. Some sports shoe manufacturers have their own in-house archives/museum of models of shoes and the development of designs. They do look so modern and contemporary. The design has obviously endured.

Some sports shoe manufacturers have their own in-house archives/museum of models of shoes and the development of designs.

]]> By: Sneaker Expert http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-535211 Sneaker Expert Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-535211 I am the owner of the sneakers. Yes they are real. Converse has known about the sneakers for 4 years. Calling them a hoax without meeting me or seeing the actual sneakers is very lame. So I will invite David Prescovitz to come to Oceanside, Ca. to view the Original Basketball Sneakers, and while he is here, I will show him other original Colchester Rubber Company's 1880's Tennis Sneakers, Rubber Work Boots, Original, Catalogs, Advertisements. So as a hoxer, I figured out an old obscure Company, hatched a plan, Came up with the old Baksball sneakers idea then with no footwear experience, I was able to create a old looking shoe, by using natural gum rubber, I was able to inject red mold into antique twill and button weave adobe color canvas along with adding mold to the cotton and culloid shoe laces and tips. Then I was able to vulcanize the sole into a solid slab of rubber leaving in the impurities, Then I poured melted Rubber into a hand carved turkey feather design mould while hand carving the cooling rubber with finner details. Earth to David, I may have a Moderate IQ, But I aint that smart. It was much eaiser, finding the Original 1892 Sneakers. I am the owner of the sneakers. Yes they are real. Converse has known about the sneakers for
4 years. Calling them a hoax without meeting me
or seeing the actual sneakers is very lame.
So I will invite David Prescovitz to come to
Oceanside, Ca. to view the Original Basketball
Sneakers, and while he is here, I will show him
other original Colchester Rubber Company’s
1880′s Tennis Sneakers, Rubber Work Boots, Original, Catalogs, Advertisements.
So as a hoxer, I figured out an old obscure
Company, hatched a plan, Came up with the old
Baksball sneakers idea then with no footwear
experience,
I was able to create a old looking shoe, by using natural gum rubber, I was able to inject red mold into antique twill and button weave adobe color canvas along with adding mold to the cotton and culloid shoe laces and tips. Then I was able to vulcanize the sole
into a solid slab of rubber leaving in the impurities, Then I poured melted Rubber into a hand carved turkey feather design mould while hand carving the cooling rubber with finner details.
Earth to David, I may have a Moderate IQ, But I aint that smart. It was much eaiser, finding the
Original 1892 Sneakers.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533683 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533683 I realized growing up in Connecticut that so many wonderful things are there or came from there; Winchester Rifles, Hedge Funds, Fairfield County, George W. Bush, etc. This is just one more reason to say how proud I am being a Yankee. I realized growing up in Connecticut that so many wonderful things are there or came from there; Winchester Rifles, Hedge Funds, Fairfield County, George W. Bush, etc. This is just one more reason to say how proud I am being a Yankee.

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533684 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533684 They look remarkably similar to the Buzz Rickson & William Gibson shoes. http://hypebeast.com/2008/10/buzz-rickson-william-gibson-athletic-shoes/ They look remarkably similar to the Buzz Rickson & William Gibson shoes.

http://hypebeast.com/2008/10/buzz-rickson-william-gibson-athletic-shoes/

]]> By: Anonymous http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-820406 Anonymous Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-820406 I have a pair of original Colchester Rubber Company Sneakers (in Black/ very good condition). They were my Grandfathers. I will sell them when I find out their worth. Anybody know? James I have a pair of original Colchester Rubber Company Sneakers (in Black/ very good condition). They were my Grandfathers. I will sell them when I find out their worth. Anybody know?

James

]]> By: mdh http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533695 mdh Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533695 <i>Winchester Rifles, Hedge Funds, Fairfield County, George W. Bush, etc.</i> You forgot lawyers!*. Litchfield had the first US law school I also blame Connecticut. * - lawyers being both the cause and solution to the above mentioned problems. Winchester Rifles, Hedge Funds, Fairfield County, George W. Bush, etc.

You forgot lawyers!*. Litchfield had the first US law school

I also blame Connecticut.

* – lawyers being both the cause and solution to the above mentioned problems.

]]> By: Aaron http://boingboing.net/2009/07/03/worlds-oldest-basket.html#comment-533725 Aaron Wed, 30 Nov -0001 00:00:00 +0000 #comment-533725 I'm calling BS on this. It doesn't pass the smell test. The only "proof" these shoes date to 1892 comes from the guy who "discovered" them--then started selling "<a href="http://www.hammacher.com/publish/11187.asp">replicas</a>" via mail-order catalogs. There's no historical evidence to back this story up. There are all the red flags of a hoax: No provenance, no historical record, companies that no longer exist. NPR got suckered by it <a href="http://www.hammacher.com/publish/11187.asp">four years ago</a>. Brilliant marketing, poor history. I’m calling BS on this. It doesn’t pass the smell test.

The only “proof” these shoes date to 1892 comes from the guy who “discovered” them–then started selling “replicas” via mail-order catalogs.

There’s no historical evidence to back this story up. There are all the red flags of a hoax: No provenance, no historical record, companies that no longer exist. NPR got suckered by it four years ago.

Brilliant marketing, poor history.

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