The Beginning of Nike Shoes
Go to: Previous Article Next Article
Nike shoes come in a wide variety of styles and colors. They are worn by professional athletes as well as everyday folks who just want to make a fashion statement. You can find Nike sneakers at just about store that sells shoes. The famous Nike swoosh logo is probably one of the most recognized company logos of all time and is seen displayed around the world.
The famous Nike logo was created by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student studying at Portland State University in 1971. Nike co-founder, Phil Knight, wasn't excited about the swoosh but nevertheless paid Davidson $35 for her creation. His reaction: "I don't love it, but it will grow on me." Apparently it did grow on Knight as well as the rest of the world. The Nike swoosh is probably one of the most recognized logos on the globe. In 1983 after Davidson retired from the company, some sources claim that Knight gave her a diamond ring engraved with the swoosh as well as an undisclosed amount of Nike stock.
The company is doing quite well for a business that started as a two man operation that sold sneakers out of the back of a van. In 2008 it's estimated that Nike earned a net income of $1.9 billion dollars with more than 30,000 employees scattered across the globe. Lately the company has been under investigation for claims associated with poor working conditions and human rights issues.
The name Nike comes from the Greek goddess of victory, and like many other successful companies, had a humble beginning. Philip Knight was a track athlete at the University of Oregon and joined up with his coach, Bill Bowerman, in 1964 to sell shoes out of their cars at track meets. At that time they called themselves Blue Ribbon Sports.
Blue Ribbon Sports started developing their own personal line of shoes in 1971. Before that they sold shoes manufactured and produced by a Japanese company. In the beginning they specialized in shoes designed for football and eventually began making other types of shoes. The Blue Ribbon Sports name was dropped in 1978. By 1980, fifty percent of shoes sold in the U.S. were Nike.
The Nike company still has headquarters in Oregon and currently owns several subsidiaries including Umbro and Converse. At one time, Nike also owned Bauer Hockey and Starter.
While Nike continues to be criticized by some who say the brand has gotten too big for its britches, the success of the company was based on hard work and determination from the two co-founders. Even after 30 years, the Nike brand is still a favorite among professional athletes, sports enthusiasts, kids, and those just looking for a good-looking and comfortable sneaker.
About the Author
Carol enjoys writing articles about cheap Puma sneakers and where to find the best deals on cheap Puma shoes for men online.
Article Source: Articlelogy.com
Word Count: 456
Reduce Your Debts Without Bankruptcy. See How Much You Can Save. Free Debt Analysis
