Miraculous technology captivates and enchants people.
1971 | Oregon, USA | Phil Knight/Bill Bowerman

It's no exaggeration to say that Nike is a brand that has elevated sneakers to a cultural phenomenon.

Its predecessor, Blue Ribbon Sports, was founded in 1964 by Phil Knight, who studied economics at Stanford University while also competing as a track and field athlete, and Bill Bowerman, who was a track and field coach at the University of Oregon.

Initially, the company was the American distributor for the Japanese shoe brand Onitsuka Tiger, but gradually became involved in shoe product development, and developed the "TIGER CORTEZ" based on an idea by Bill Bowerman. This shoe became a flagship product among the products handled by Blue Ribbon Sports, but frequent troubles with Onitsuka Tiger regarding transportation and ordering led them to begin exploring the possibility of manufacturing and selling shoes themselves.

In 1971, Nike ended its partnership with Onitsuka. Under the name "NIKE," derived from Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, the company began manufacturing and selling original shoes featuring the "SWOOSH," which remains its trademark today. Incidentally, early models such as the "NIKE CORTEZ" were manufactured by Asahi Corporation in Japan, and are known among enthusiasts for their exceptionally high quality. In 1972, Nike released its first basketball shoe, the "Blazer Hi," followed by the "Waffle Trainer" in 1974. This waffle sole, a groundbreaking design with excellent grip and slip resistance, became a huge hit, and it is said that Bill Bowerman came up with the idea after seeing waffles for breakfast.

In 1978, they released the "AIR TAILWIND," which featured the miraculous Air technology of incorporating air into the sole. In 1982, they also released the "AIR FORCE 1," a basketball shoe that also featured an air sole. The sole's design, which moved in concentric circles in accordance with the movements of basketball players, and the ankle strap that protected the ankle were well-received, and it gained the support of players. Then, with Michael Jordan, who was at the height of his popularity at the time, as their spokesperson, the "AIR JORDAN" series, which has continued since 1985, was launched. Even now, after Jordan's retirement, the release of these shoes continues.

In 1980, the brand released the "APPROACH" outdoor shoe, which was the catalyst for the creation of the ACG series. ACG stands for All Conditions Gear, meaning all-weather gear. This series has released masterpieces such as the "AIR HUARACHE" and "AIR MOWABB" from 1991, as well as apparel. In 2014, the series was revamped with a fashionable, black-based design, and in 2018, the old logo was revived, attracting new fans.

In 1987, the "AIR MAX" was released, featuring the innovative idea of showcasing the air unit in the midsole. Following the "AIR MAX 90," the "AIR MAX 95" was released, captivating all of Japan with its groundbreaking visual design—a gradient design inspired by the muscles and skeleton of the human body—and its air structure prominently displayed through seven windows, creating a frenzied social phenomenon.

In 2000, Nike launched the groundbreaking "NIKE iD" service on its official website, allowing customers to order custom color schemes.

Furthermore, exactly 30 years after the birth of the original AIR MAX, on March 26, 2017, its successor, the "AIR VAPORMAX," was released. With a structure that does not require a midsole, its bold design, in which the air unit appears to be the sole itself, expresses Nike's technology and its relentless spirit of innovation.