Nike Timeline

  • BRS

    The first BRS retail outlet (American for shop) opens in California.
  • Importing

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

    Nike's revenues top $1 billion.
  • Slogan

    Nike's marketing department come up with the 'JUST DO IT.' slogan.