History of Nike

  • 1st event

    The first BRS retail outlet (American for shop opens in California.
  • 2nd event

    They start by importing cheap Japanese running shoes and selling them by post for a profit in the USA.
  • 3rd event

    Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman both contribute $500 to form the company called 'Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) - later to become Nike.
  • 4th event

    The 'waffle' sole for running shoes is invented, and the trainer quickly becomes the best selling training shoe in the USA.
  • 5th event

    For only $35 the now globally famous 'swoosh' Nike symbol is created by a graphic design student.
  • 6th event

    Whilst asleep, an employee of BRS dreams of the greek god "Nike' and proposes it as the company's new name. It is accepted!
  • 7th event

    One of the first celebrity sportsmen - John McEnroe signs a deal with Nike!
  • 8th event

    The Air-Sole is invented and once again, Nike revolutionize the world of training shoes.
  • 9th event

    Nike becomes a public limited company and starts to sell shares to members of the public who want to invest in Nike.
  • 10th event

    Michael Jordan agrees to endorse his own line of Nike trainers, to be known as 'Air Jordan'
  • 11th event

    Nike's revenues top $1 billion.
  • 12th event

    Nike's marketing department come up with the 'JUST DO IT.' slogan.
  • 13th event

    Nike becomes the most popular and largest sportsbrand in the world
  • 14th event

    Nike Shox cushioning system is introduced and worn by vince carter
  • 15th event

    Nike buys converse, a famous brand that become bankrupt for 305 million on July 9th
  • 16th event

    Nike exits the golf equipment market.
  • 17th event

    Nike introduces the HyperAdapt 1.0 which were inspired from the Air Mags in the Back to the Future Part II movie.
  • 18th event

    The Vaporfly 4% running shoe was introduced, inspired by the Breaking2 attempt to break the 2-hour marathon barrier. This shoe main feature is a carbon fiber plate in the midsole for improved energy return