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Jack Purcell: Debuting in 1935, world famous champion badminton and tennis pro Jack Purcell designed an innovative and durable performance court shoe, with its iconic toe smile, that irrevocably changed both games by raising the level of play made possible by performance footwear. The shoes also became a “must-have” staple among young, aspiring Hollywood actors in the 1930s and 1940s, and west coast “beach boys” throughout the 1950s. The “JPs” also became similarly ubiquitous among “bad boys” as a statement of rebellion in boarding schools and country-clubs far and wide.
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When it comes to the finer things, there is but one name: Jack Purcell. A man of the club but a rebel to the core, Jack was a champion, master and advocate for gaining advantage. By the time he helped design his signature court shoe in 1935, Jack had not only won five consecutive Canadian championships, he’d also been declared the world badminton champion. A hero of sorts, Jack Purcell was a gregarious individual whose life epitomized privilege, a life full of the kinds of advantages that cannot be bought but instead must be born into. But it wasn’t Jack’s class that defined him--it was his self-confidence. For that self-confidence went beyond privilege to represent the ultimate form of rebellion: freedom. And it is with this freedom that the legacy of Jack Purcell lives on, playing however, wherever, whenever and with whomever it pleases.
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Jack Purcell was born in 1903, in Guelph Ontario, as John Edward Purcell. Luck would have it that badminton had just arrived in Canada. Jack knew a good thing when he saw it.Jack Purcell started to play Badminton, seriously in the 1920s when Badminton was just getting started.
When Jack Purcell was small, his father used to take him to the USA to see boxing and baseball, pulling him away from his passion for tennis and badminton. However, in the end, his father approved of his love of the game.
Jack Purcell collaborated with B.F Goodrich in 1935. He designed his signature “happy” shoe with the now iconic smile toe. Known as “The Smiler,” the iconic marking on the front toe is the reason for the smile on Jack Purcell Shoes.
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1873
A group of English soldiers from Beaufort were invited by Indians. They had some beer and began playing a game where chicken feathers were used. The game was called ‘poona’ from India. This activity was interesting and started becoming popular. This is the origin of badminton.
1879
Formation of New York Badminton Association. First Badminton Association in the world and it still exist.
1900
Canada host its first Badminton competition
1903
John Edward Purcell is born in Canada, Guelph
1929
Jack Purcell starts competing in World Badminton Singles Championships. He also started appearing in Toronto’s badminton bulletin.
1931
Jack Purcell won an open doubles badminton championship in Surrey, England
1933
After a round of intensive selection of world class badminton elites, Jack Purcell won the title of Badminton World Champion.
1935
BF Goodrich invented the Jack Purcell shoes. Meanwhile Jack Purcell is on Los Angeles giving Hollywood stars personal tennis lessons.
1950
Jack Purcell is inducted into Canada’s sports hall of fame.
1955
James Dean wore Jack Purcell court shoes and appeared in various media.
1960
The Jack Purcell court shoes were coined as high end court shoes. Compared to the average price of court shoes which could only be sold at prices such as USD$5.98 and below. Jack Purcell court shoes could be sold at a high price of USD$8.98. Jack Purcell ads could be seen in famous magazines such as ‘The New Yorker’ and ‘Playboy’ etc.
1972
Converse became the sole merchandiser of Jack Purcell court shoes. Although badminton was not yet an Olympic game itself, Jack Purcell still made it into Canada’s Olympic Hall of Fame.
1992
Badminton is finally recognized as one of the Olympic games.
2010
The Jack Purcell sneaker celebrates its 75th Anniversary.