The oldest known shoe, crafted from cowhide, dates back 5,500 years. Today, Friends Select students showcase a variety of popular footwear brands, including Nike, New Balance, Ugg, Converse, and other trendy choices.
Here are some fun facts about the types of shoes FSS students wear!
Nike:
Nike has a history filled with notable milestones. Carolyn Davidson, a student at Portland State University, designed the famous Swoosh logo for $35. The company was originally called Blue Ribbon Sports before rebranding as Nike in 1971. Today, Nike owns several brands, including Converse. The largest Nike store in the world spans 42,000 square feet and is located on Oxford Street in London.
Converse has been a part of historical and athletic events since its founding. The company was established in 1908 in Massachusetts, releasing its first shoe the following year. In 1941, Converse became the official shoe used by the U.S. military when the United States entered World War II. Decades later, Michael Jordan won his first Olympic gold medal while wearing a pair of Converse Fastbreak Mids.
Ugg:
UGG boots have a unique history that spans different uses and eras. In the 1970s, Australian surfers began wearing the earliest iconic UGG patterns to stay warm between surf sessions. The origins of UGG boots can be traced back even further, with early styles dating to World War I. These “flying UGG boots” were designed to keep pilots warm during flights and are considered some of the earliest versions of the popular footwear.
New Balance has evolved from providing specialized arch support to becoming a leading sportswear brand. The company initially sold arch supports, known as New Balance Arch, before transitioning to manufacturing shoes. It gained recognition by providing arch support to firefighters and police officers. By 1941, New Balance had expanded its product line to include sneakers for baseball, tennis, and boxing.
Adidas has been growing in the sneaker industry and has become a very popular brand worldwide. It was the first company to incorporate a microchip into its sneaker design with the Adidas Micropacer, which featured a computer display that allowed athletes to track calories burned, pace, and other metrics. The brand’s iconic three stripes, now a recognizable design feature, were originally added to provide stability to the sneakers. In 2008, Adidas filed a lawsuit against Payless ShoeSource for releasing a sneaker with four stripes instead of three, and the case was settled for $305 million.
Many Friends Select students sport trendy shoe brands like Nike, Adidas, and New Balance. How do your shoes help you express your personal style?
