In 1963, graduates Bill Bowerman and alumni Phil Knight from University of Oregon co-founded a company called "Blue Ribbon Sports" company, engaged mainly in sports. Nike's history was started from 1972 since they changed its name into Nike.
In 1962, Phil Knight, business school graduate, overhear the "Oregon Journal" staff, were being debated in Japan Nikon cameras which will replace the expensive German-made Leicas cameras in one day. As a running player in University of Oregon middle-distance running, Phil Knight believes that if Japanese manufacturers who are good at in low-cost production, can make good quality running shoes, a new market will be opened by taking this price advantage. Then they can compete with the European footwear manufacturers, such asnew air jordan shoesand Puma, etc. Knight had a meet with the manager of Onitsuka Tiger sports shoes company in the summer of 1963. Knight instigated from the cheap and portable European brands of sports shoes and thus brought some shoes samples back to country. These samples impressed to the legendary Oregon coach, so he agreed to invest $ 500, and became a partner. The two men later signed a contract with the Onitsuka on behalf of "Blue Ribbon Sports Company" on the purchase of 1000 Tiger brand shoes. They transported the shoes to the General Assembly the on-site sale. As a result, Knight sold $ 8,000 shoes in just within a year. He then resigned from that work, and imported more shoes. Knight hired a few sales staff, who are like-minded runners, BRS Company just gave them the job opportunities, so that they can have a good income, but also enjoy the fun of running.
In 1966, Bowerman had been trying to use a variety of different methods of making shoes lighter, Bowerman sent one pair of his own design shoes to Onitsuka company, this pair of shoes called Cortez. Although the representative of Adidas business scoffs at his design at the very beginning, it still became popular in the track field, as Tiger's best-selling shoes. By 1969, BRS has sold more than $ 1 million pairs of shoes. The great depend on Onitsuka Japanese companies made them worried about the relationship with the company. Later, this fear turned into reality, Japan began looking for more wholesalers, and threatened to suspend cooperation. Knight thinks it's time to solve new challenge. Because of the breach, they cut off the company's cooperation relations with the Onitsuka, he found one Exeter factory and cooperated with a trading company-Japan Nissho Iwai company which provide them with credit financing, starting with a new name and trademark shoes sales. They take the "Nike" (the ancient Greek goddess of victory, which is called the Nike) as the company's new name. A fat Tick symbol designed by a local female student Caroline Davidson, become a new landmark for Nike.
The "Swoosh" (means "wind flying past") became the world famous symbol to the great success of Nike.Nike's business has spread all over the world on about six continents. The total number of employees reached 22,000 people, with the company's shippers, retailersArticle Submission, and other personnel service close to 1 million people. Nike has always inspired the world for every athlete and offers the best products as a glorious task. Nike's spirit is the spirit of movement. Nike Company pay attention to its employee to develop their creative capability. New technology can provide Nike a great power to produce best products. So Nike has put a lot of manpower and material resources for the new products development and research.