The sporting goods company, Nike, first formed in 1964. At its inception, the company was called Blue Ribbon Sports. University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman and Oregon athlete Philip Knight formed the company. They originally worked as a distributor for Onitsuka Tiger, the Japanese shoe company that is now ASICS. They made most of their sales from Philip Knight’s car at track meets.
Production
There is some controversy over who received the first ever Nike shoes. Many claim that Bill Bowerman made the first shoes for Philip Knight. However, a different Oregon athlete named Otis Davis claims he was the first person to receive the shoes. Bill Bowerman made them on a waffle iron. Davis claims that he did not like the shoes because they were too tight and did not support his feet.
Blue Ribbon Sports saw consistently rising business. By 1966, the store opened its first retail location. In 1971, Blue Ribbon Sports created its first production shoe. The shoe featured the trademark Swoosh. In 1980, the company went public after it gained 50% of the athletic shoe market share.
Shoes
Nike is most famous for its shoes. It was created as a company that sold and manufactured track shoes. They are still well known for the quality of their running shoes. Their trainers come in many different forms.
Running shoes tend to come in a few varieties: minimalist, neutral, stabilising, and maximalist.
Minimalist shoes are shoes that are typically thinner and less substantial than standard running shoes. They are thinner and lighter because they are meant to mimic better what some consider a more natural running gait. Many feel that human beings evolved as distance running animals, so the most natural way to run is the best one. The original Onitsuka Tiger shoes and Nike waffle racers would probably be closer to minimalist shoes if they were produced today. They were very simple shoes that offered very little support to the foot.
Neutral shoes are the most common kind of shoes. They are usually well-cushioned and sturdy, but they do not offer special protection. These are the most common Nike shoes from the Athlete’s Foot and other stores. Neutral shoes are the best shoes for someone who has no special considerations for footwear or who does not have much experience with running.
Stabilising shoes are made for people with particular considerations. These people might have odd ankle or foot movement upon impact. A stabilising shoe controls how the foot moves when running. This reduces the harmful motion. They are sometimes more expensive than neutral or minimal shoes.
Maximalist shoes are a response to the minimalist craze. They are shoes that have a large amount of cushioning that reduces the impact forces on the feet. They are typically popular for those who have knee problems.
Nike has been in the shoe production business for decades now. They dominate the market for athletic shoes, but they have expanded to many different arenas. They are known for their innovative marketing strategies that sell Nike as a brand but not specific products.