Nike Timeline By kcurtis100 Jan 1, 1957 Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight become buisness partners Jan 1, 1966 Blue Ribbon Sports opens its first retail store Jan 1, 1972 Blue Ribbon Sports becomes known as Nike Jan 1, 1974 The Waffle Trainer shoe becomes a popular training shoe Jan 22, 1974 The Nike Swoosh is registered with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Jan 1, 1980 The Nike Company goes public Jan 1, 1984 Michael Jordan enters a contract with Nike Jan 1, 1984 Nike releases the first "Air Jordan" shoe Jan 1, 1988 Just Do It campaign launches Jan 1, 1990 "Bo Knows" Advertisement campaign is launched