History of Nike
Nike, one of the world's most iconic sportswear brands, has a rich and influential history that spans several decades. From its humble beginnings as a small distributor of athletic shoes to its status as a global powerhouse in the sportswear industry, Nike's journey is a testament to innovation, marketing prowess, and a deep understanding of consumer needs.
The origins of Nike can be traced back to 1964 when Bill Bowerman, a track and field coach, and Phil Knight, a middle-distance runner, founded Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS) as a distributor of Onitsuka Tiger shoes. Bowerman's relentless pursuit of creating better athletic footwear and Knight's entrepreneurial vision laid the groundwork for what would become Nike.
In 1971, BRS introduced its first line of self-designed athletic shoes, branded as Nike. The iconic "Swoosh" logo, designed by Carolyn Davidson, was unveiled shortly after and has since become synonymous with the brand. The name "Nike" was inspired by the Greek goddess of victory, symbolizing the company's mission to inspire and enable athletes to achieve their goals.
Throughout the 1970s, Nike solidified its presence in the running shoe market by introducing innovative designs and technologies. The launch of the Nike Cortez in 1972, a lightweight running shoe, marked a significant milestone for the brand. Nike's breakthrough moment came in 1984 with the signing of a then-unknown basketball player named Michael Jordan. The partnership resulted in the creation of the iconic Air Jordan line, which revolutionized the sneaker industry and elevated Nike's status to new heights.
Nike's commitment to innovation extended beyond footwear. In 1988, they introduced "Just Do It," a now-famous slogan that encapsulated the brand's ethos of determination and resilience. This marketing campaign, along with memorable advertisements featuring high-profile athletes, further propelled Nike's global recognition and solidified its position as a leader in sportswear.
In the 1990s, Nike expanded its reach into other sports segments, including soccer, tennis, and golf. They signed endorsement deals with world-class athletes such as Serena Williams, Tiger Woods, and Ronaldo, further strengthening their presence in these sports.
Of course today, Nike remains a powerhouse in the sportswear industry, continuing to innovate, expand its product offerings, and engage with its consumers, but we want to focus on vintage Nike- as it is absolutely remarkable in its quality and design. As the popularity of Nike continues to rise, it is important to understand how to identify what era an item belongs in- that is where we step in.
How to identify vintage Nike
There are a couple of ways to identify vintage Nike pieces, but the absolute best & easiest way to do so is by the tags. Nike constantly updated the design of their tags from era to era, even continuing to do so today. However, keep in mind, these production dates are estimates. It is impossible for us to identify every single piece ever made by Nike, while also pin-pointing its exact year. So let us begin our journey into vintage identification, starting with: Nike.
*Sonny De Cru does not claim ownership of any images unless otherwise stated*
The Nike Pinwheel Tag
The Nike Orange Swoosh Tag
The Nike Blue Tag
The Nike Original Grey Tag
The Nike Original White Tag
The Nike White Tag
The Nike Grey Tag
The Modern Nike Tag
The Anomaly Nike Tags
Overview
