Nike History Timeline Info  

1950's

• Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman meet

1960's

• Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) was made and founded by Phil Knight
• The popular Cortez aka "Dope Mans" are made in Japan

1970's

• The Swoosh logo is created by Carolyn Davidson for $35.00
• The first Nike model shoe to hit the retail market is a soccer/football shoe
• A Promo Nike Tee becomes the first apparel item
• The famous Waffle Trainer is introduced, which becomes the best selling shoe in the US
• Nike’s racing and training spiked shoe is made called the "Elite"
• Factories for manufacturing are set up in Korea and Taiwan
• For the first time Nike shoes are sold in Asia
• Blue Ribbon Sports changes their company name to Nike Inc.
• The first Nike running shoe with a air sole system to come out is the "Tailwind"
• World Headquarters are opened in Beaverton, Oregon

1980's

• Nike talks with the P.R. of China so they can produce shoes there
• Nike shoes become Canada’s top seller
• Nike shoes are now produced in 11 countries
• The famous "NIKE AIR" Air Force 1 and Air Ace make their introduction
• Over 200 shoes are now in Nike’s footwear line
• The first high performance kid’s running shoe is called the "Destiny"
• The Air Jordan makes it’s way to Nike footwear line up
• The Sock Racer comes out and is part of the Dynamic-Fit technology
• The first Air Max
• The first Cross Trainer
• The famous "Just Do It" slogan comes to life
• The first model to combine the footbridge device and Air Sole is the Air Stab
• Spike Lee’s "Mars Blackmon" character helps promote the third style of Air Jordan
• Bo Jackson’s "Bo Knows" commercials include the "Just Do It" slogan
• Nike moves to a new World Campus in Beaverton

1990's

• The new World Campus sits on 74 acres with 570,000 square feet.
• In Portland, Oregon the first Nike Town opens
• The intro of the Air Huarache running shoe
• The intro of the Air Mowabb
• Nike Town opens in Chicago
• Charles Barkley first signature shoe is introduced
• The intro of the Run Walk shoe
• Nike Town opens in Atlanta and Orange County
• The intro of dual pressure cushioning in the Air Max
• Nike gets distribution rights in Korea and Japan
• The intro of Zoom Air technology
• Nike Town New York opens
• The Air Penny comes to life
• So much more details in the 90's, and these are just some of the highlights.