PF flyers

   In 1909, Benjamin Franklin Goodrich (American), looking for another use for rubber other than tires, created a line of rubber-soled canvas shoes. By 1928, they were producing 28,000 pairs a day. In 1933, Hyman Whitman patented his arch-support invention. Goodrich used this invention to create the first sneaker with arch support, the "PF Flyer," which stands for "posture foundation." It was a canvas-duck high-top sneaker with a rubber ankle patch that read "PF Flyer."

   Throughout the 1960s, the PF Flyer was the sneaker; however, between 1970 and 1990, they fell out of favor due to increased competition from other athletic shoe companies such as Adidas. In 1972, Goodrich sold the brand to Converse. To settle a Department of Justice complaint that Converse was monopolizing the sneaker market, the PF Flyer brand was spun off and from 1991-2001, LJO Inc. owned the brand until 2001when New Balance acquired the rights. In 2003, the PF Flyer was resurrected and increased in popularity.