James Van Doren: Vans Inventor Dies at 72

by NowPublic Staff | November 7, 2011 at 09:05 am

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Inventors of Vans Shoes Passes Away

Skaters, a moment of silence, please. James Van Doren, who invented the iconic Vans slip-on, has died from cancer at age 72.

James Van Doren co-founded the Van Doren Rubber Company with his brother Paul in 1966. One of their early products was a casual slip-on with a rubber sole and canvas upper. Originally marketed as a boating shoe, the footwear became popular with skateboarders.

Mainstream fame came to Vans thanks to a certain Jeff Spiccoli. The iconic slacker, played by Sean Penn in a career-making role, brought the checked Vans to the masses.

Embraced by West Coast skateboarders in the 1970s and afterward, the shoes helped their wearers avoid the fate of Icarus as they performed aerial moves that put the feet well above the head.

James Van Doren is survived by his wife, two brothers, a sister, three sons, and five grandchildren.