In 1906, the 33-year-old waiter William J. Riley founded the New Balance Arch Support company in Boston, manufacturing arch supports and other accessories designed to provide shoes with greater balance and comfort. One day, while observing the chickens in his back yard, Riley was inspired the perfect balance provided by the chicken's three-pronged foot and developed his first three-point arch support. The company's philosophy is simple: "Endorsed By No One". Instead of paying celebrities to tell you how great their products are, New Balance invests in research, design, and domestic manufacturing and let their products speak for themselves. By adhering to this philosophy, they are able to celebrate the true stars: every day athletes who choose New Balance footwear and apparel because they fit and because they perform.