**New Balance**
- Year of Origin: 1906
- Stock Symbol: Not publicly traded (privately held)
New Balance has a pretty interesting history worth a jog through!
It started way back in 1906 when William J. Riley, a British immigrant, founded the "New Balance Arch Support Company" in Boston, Massachusetts. He initially focused on making arch supports and other accessories to provide better fit and comfort to shoes.
In the 1960s, New Balance began producing athletic shoes, capitalizing on the growing running trend. The brand gained popularity when they introduced the New Balance 320 in 1976, which was an innovative running shoe that featured a nylon upper.
As the years went by, New Balance continued to innovate, particularly in manufacturing technology and offering a variety of styles for runners and casual wear alike. They also became known for their commitment to producing shoes in the USA, with several models still being made in New England today.
By the 1980s and 1990s, New Balance really hit its stride and became popular in the sneaker culture, appealing to both serious athletes and fashion enthusiasts with their retro styles and signature "N" logo.
Today, they are renowned for their quality, performance, and wide range of sizes—yes, even for those of us with wider feet! So in a nutshell, they’ve come a long way from arch supports to fashion statements!