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The company now known as Nike, originally started as Blue Ribbon Sports. It was founded by Phil Knight, an University of Oregon athlete and coach Bill Bowerman.
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Blue Ribbon Sports sold 1,300 pairs of shoes in it's first year. Mostly out of the trunk of their cars at track meets. They only sold Onitsuka Tiger shoes (now owned by ASICS).
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It's first retail store was opened this year in Santa Monica, California.
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Due to sales increasing at a high rate the company expanded distribution and retail to the east coast.
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BRS and Onitsuka Tiger end their longstanding relationship. BRS prepares to launch their own line of footwear.
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In preparing for their new line of shoes, The Swoosh was decided on to become the logo for the newly named Nike. The Swoosh was designed by Carolyn Davidson.
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The Swoosh gets registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office on this date, an important step in them building the Swoosh into an icon.
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In December of 1980, Nike achieves 50% market share in the U.S. athletic shoe market. In addition, the company went public.
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Michael Jordan signs with Nike and with his help launch the Air Jordan brand down the line. It's one of their most successful lines to date.
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Nike uses the slogan "Just Do It" for the first time in ad campaigns. This slogan is still used to this day.
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Nike moved into it's new headquarters building in Beaverton, Oregon.
