Nike is one of the most iconic brands in the world. It was founded on January 25 1964 by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight under the name Blue Ribbon Sports. the beginnings of Nike traced back to the University of Oregon where Bowerman, a track and field coach, and Knight who was one of his athletes, embarked on the journey to change athletic footwear forever. initially focusing on being a distributor for the Japanese show company Onitsuka Tiger, they focused on importing and selling high-quality shoes to American consumers.
In the early years, Nike primarily operated in the footwear industry supplying athletes with performance-enhancing footwear. the original products they sold consisted of running shoes with a focus on innovation, quality, and functionality. One of their earliest successes was the "Cortez" running shoe, Which gained popularity among runners.
Nike's growth was not an overnight success but the company experienced steady growth and success throughout the years. the pivotal moment in the company's history was in 1971 when it decided to transition from a distributor to a manufacturer, launching its athletics show under the Nike brand name. The iconic Swoosh logo which was designed by graphic artist Carolyn Davidson, made its debut shortly after the transition, symbolizing the brand's commitment to excellence, innovation, and performance. throughout the years, Nike continuously pushed the boundaries of athletic footwear with the introduction of different designs such as Air and Flyknit construction. they also have expanded their brand and products to cover all sports not just athletics and are the main sports brand in the majority of the major sports in the world. Today, Nike is not only a global leader in athletics, but has also become a cultural phenomenon that transcends sports, empowerment, and aspiration.