“Just do it.” Few brands embody their slogan as completely as Nike. Founded in 1971 in Beaverton, Oregon, by coach Bill Bowerman and his former student Phil Knight, Nike was born from a mission to create the perfect running shoe. The brand’s breakthrough came at the 1972 Olympic Games, marking the start of a legacy defined by performance and innovation.
Among Nike’s most iconic milestones are its partnership with Michael Jordan, which revolutionized basketball and sneaker culture, and the debut of visible Nike Air® cushioning with the launch of the Air Max 1. Pop culture also cemented Nike’s place in history when the futuristic Nike Mag appeared in Back to the Future—a vision later realized by legendary designer Tinker Hatfield, who brought self-lacing shoes to life with E.A.R.L. technology.
From heritage icons to cutting-edge innovation, Nike continues to push the boundaries of sport and style—proving that the future of sneakers is already here.
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