Running shoes weren’t as good-looking and comfortable as they are today. Phil Knight and Bowerman changed that with starting Nike in 1964. Now, Nike has become a global company that holds approximately two-thirds of the U.S. footwear market. Nike is known for its quality, style, perfection in all the products. Here are 10 facts about Nike that you probably didn’t know:
1. Cost of the famous swoosh
The swoosh that is used on Nike products was made by a Portland state university student at only $35. She now owns stock in Nike which is worth more than $64000.
2. The largest Nike store
The largest Nike store is located in London’s Oxford Street and has a height of 42,000 feet.
3. Using old shoes in the best possible way
A lot of people wonder what Nike does with the used shoes, well they make playground equipment by recycling their old shoes.
4. The first pair of Nike shoes
The first ever Nike shoe pair was made by using the waffle iron to create grooves on the soles. These grooves helped athletes to have a better grip on the surface of running tracks.
5. The first athlete to promote Nike
Tennis player Ilie Nastase was the first athlete to endorse Nike in 1972.
6. A shoe that communicates with the wearer
Nike has developed a shoe using an embedded computing device, which can communicate with the smartphone of the wearer.
7. Using Beatles in ad
Nike used the ‘Revolution’ song which was made by Beatles for Air Max shoes ad in 1987. It was the very first time a Beatles song was used in a TV commercial.
8. Just do it
A lot of people believe that the famous Nike slogan ” Just do it” is inspired by Gary Gillmore’s last words “let’s do it”.
9. The name Nike
There are many stories behind why Nike was used as the name. For information, the word Nike comes from the Greek goddess of victory, which is pronounced as “ny’kee”.
10. Names of products
Most of the names of Nike’s products are taken from the names of popular sports teams. For example, ‘Columbia Blue’ is named after the ‘Columbia Lions’.
