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In the 1910s Converse started to sell shoes named the Non-Skid, mainly for basketball for which at the time was a fairly new sport. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/sneaker-culture-sneakerheads-air-jordans-history-expression -
At the Berlin Olympics, Jesse Owens one of Americas sprinters wears a pair of spiked running shoes designed by Adi Dassler. He went on to win 4 gold metals getting huge coverage by the media. https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-sneakers -
In 1974 Nike introduced the Waffle Trainer. Not only was this shoe considered ground breaking with its unique pattern it also kicked off the brand know world wide as Nike. https://superstem.scholastic.com/issues/2024-25/090124/sneaker-history.html?language=english#840L -
In 1976 Vans released the #95 (later renamed the era). It had a grippy sole and because of that it became mainly popular with skateboarders https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-sneakers -
In 1985 the hip hop group know as Run-DMC releases a song called "My Adidas". That year Adidas makes Run-DMC the very first nonathlete endorsement. https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-sneakers -
The Air Jordan 1s are one of the most iconic shoes in history. With the same confident charm as Michael Jordan himself, the Air Jordan debuted in 1985 and went on to dominate the world. https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/article/sneaker-culture-sneakerheads-air-jordans-history-expression -
In 2001 the first shoe with retractable wheels hit the market commonly referred to as Heelys. https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-sneakers -
In 2013 Adidas made sneakers with superthick foam soles. The material returned more energy to runners, giving them more spring in their step. https://superstem.scholastic.com/issues/2024-25/090124/sneaker-history.html?language=english#840L -
In 2020 shoes got so good that they had to ban them for the Olympics. The World Athletics decided to ban the Nike’s Alphaflys this was because they were considered an unfair advantage with efficient the technology used in this shoe was. https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-sneakers -
As of 2023 it is estimated that sneakers generate more than $75 billion in sales worldwide and it gets bigger every day. -
I think that in 2030 sneakers will be biodegradable, comfy and long lasting. Not only will this help our environment but will also help reduce how much you have to spend on shoes in a year.