Founded in the Brighton area of Massachusetts by William J. Riley in 1906 The New Balance Arch Support Company manufactured and sold arch supports and footwear accessories aimed to help aide the comfort of the inferior shoes of the time. Rileys idea was taken from examining the way a chicken walks. A chickens three claws allows the chicken to walk with perfect balance and Riley adapted this concept for his arch supports and eventually for New Balance footwear. Unlike competitive brands New Balance maintains a manufacturing presence in the United States for it's domestic customers, as well as in England for the European market. The quality of New Balance footwear is unsurpassed in its material choices, collaborations and general manufacture and comfort.