Lesson 1 : "Where it all Began"

In this section we wanted to help educate (school) sneaker heads on topics we think are important, and contribute to the growth of sneaker culture. For our first lesson, we thought there’s no better place to start but at the beginning.

Here’s a brief history of the beginnings of the companies that produce the shoes we love today and have made sneakers a $26 Billion dollar industry...

1890

Reebok formed. Joseph William Foster made some of the first known running shoes with spikes in them.

1900

New Balance formed in Boston, Massachusetts when William J. Riley, a 33-year-old English immigrant, committed himself to helping people with problem feet by making arch supports and prescription footwear to improve shoe fit.

1908

Marquis M. Converse establishes the Converse shoe company, revolutionizing the game of basketball for more than half a century.

1920

Adi Dassler, founder of Adidas, begins producing handmade training shoes in his mother's washroom without electricity.

1948

Puma Schuhfabrik Rudolf Dassler is founded and the world is introduced to the PUMA Atom, PUMA's first football shoe worn by members of the West German football team.

1968

BRS begins marketing new designs and technology and changes their name to Nike. Nike is named after the Greek Goddess of Victory.

1971

The Nike Swoosh trademark is purchased from a graphic design student for $35.

1979

Nike creates the first Nike Air sole units, resulting in the revolutionary Nike Air cushioning. Nike also releases their first running shoe with the patented Nike Air technology, the Nike Tailwind.

1982

Nike releases the first of a long line of shoes, the Air Force One. This durable shoe has been released in a low, mid, and high-top versions. The Air Force 1 (Uptown) has survived over two decades with little change to its basic design and continues to remain a legacy and a fashion statement with its numerous colourways, however, the all white AF1 remains the favorite.

1985

Chicago Bulls basketball rookie, Michael Jordan, endorses a line of Nike shoes and apparel. Nike releases the first Air Jordan.

1987

The first Nike Air Max shoes are released, giving athletes their first real introduction to the Nike Air cushioning. Nike also releases the first Air Cross Trainer, a shoe cushioned enough for aerobics and court sports.

1993

DC Shoes founded by Ken Block and Damon Way, older brother of professional skateboarder Danny Way.

2002

JB Classics started in San Francisco by Jason Bass.

Homework

Watch "Just For Kicks"

Read "Where'd You Get Those".

Stay Laced