Nike

Nike started in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports (BRS), founded by University of Oregon track athlete Phil Knight and his coach, Bill Bowerman, initially distributing Japanese Onitsuka Tiger running shoes from the back of a car at track meets. 

Bill Bowerman, obsessed with lighter shoes, constantly tinkered with designs, leading to the creation of the revolutionary waffle sole. 

The company officially became Nike, Inc. in 1971, named after the Greek goddess of victory, and introduced its iconic Swoosh logo, launching its own line of shoes.

From these humble beginnings selling imported shoes, Nike grew into the global sportswear giant it is today.  

“Today, athletes face new obstacles to achieving their goals. Whether poor air quality, extreme heat or unpredictable weather, the impact of climate change is felt everywhere, at every level. It challenges the ability of all athletes* to play, train and compete to their full potential, their website says.”

“That is why NIKE is focused on sustainable innovation at scale across our entire business.”

“Nike has pushed the boundaries of sustainable innovation for decades. But what got us here won’t get us where we need to go. We’re evolving the playbook, transforming science fiction to science fact, at Nike’s scale. We’re not there yet, but we know where we’re going—moving to zero and then beyond. We think of it as “Bloom Over Doom”—tenacious optimism, audacious innovation and collective action so we all, and this beautiful blue ball, thrive.”