James Van Doren, shoe designer, dies

LOS ANGELES -- The shoes James Van Doren and his brother cooked up in their family rubber factory turned out to be the perfect fit for the nascent skateboarding culture that was sweeping Southern California in the 1960s.

They were cheap and they came in a variety of distinct designs that seemed to shout, "Cool California dude," as soon as you put on a pair.

But most importantly, once you did slip on a pair of Vans, you never fell off your skateboard. At least not until you crashed it.

Van Doren, whose background in chemistry and mechanics contributed to that unique, slip-resistant design, died Oct. 12 at his Fullerton home, his wife, Char, told The Associated Press. He was 72 and had cancer.

Van Doren and his older brother, Paul, were working for a sports shoe company in the 1960s when Paul suggested they and two friends form their own business. They would name it Vans.

They decided to keep their prices low by cutting out the middle man, choosing to manufacture the shoes themselves and sell them at their own retail store in Anaheim.

But most importantly, they would make the shoes' soles with a unique, waffle-like design perfect for gripping a wood surface like the top of a skateboard.

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Then, in 1982, the shoes got a gigantic promotional boost. Sean Penn played a stoned surfer-dude in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High." And he wore a pair of Vans with a distinctive checkerboard design.

In 1984, a court-ordered management shake-up led to the departure of James Van Doren. Control of the company was returned to his brother Paul, who came out of semiretirement.

Four years later, an investment banking company bought Vans, which has been sold several times since.