Is It True That the Inspiration for Sperry Top-Siders Came from a Cocker Spaniel?
Yes. On a cold, winter morning in 1935, with the snow covered in an icy crust, Paul Sperry, an avid sailor, let his cocker spaniel, Prince, out for his daily exercise. Watching closely, Paul noticed that the dog was remarkably stable, even at a full run. Close examination of the paws resulted in the discovery of hundreds of tiny cracks or cuts going in all directions. An idea was born. Paul raced back to his laboratory to begin working on a shoe sole that emulated the ridges in the dog s paw. In no time, the legendary, Sperry Top-Sider trademark herringbone- cut sole was born. Through the pattern of slits, or “siping” as it is called today, Paul designed a shoe that provided the gripping power that he had been searching for perfect for grip and traction on wet surfaces of all kinds.
