Nike was founded in 1964 by University of Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman and his former student Phil Knight, initially operating under the name Blue Ribbon Sports as a distributor of Japanese running shoes. In 1971, the company rebranded as Nike, inspired by the Greek goddess of victory, and introduced the Swoosh logo, symbolizing speed and movement. Nike revolutionized athletic footwear with the development of Air cushioning technology in 1979, which provided superior shock absorption and energy return and became a defining feature in iconic products like the Air Force 1 and Air Max series. The Air Jordan line, launched in 1984 through a partnership with basketball legend Michael Jordan, bridged the gap between sports performance and lifestyle, becoming a cultural phenomenon and increasing Nike's popularity. Through continued innovation and collaborations with designers and brands such as Virgil Abloh's Off-White and Supreme, Nike has solidified its position as a leader in both athletic and fashion markets.
