NKE

Nike, Inc.

A maker of athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment, Nike is the world's largest seller of running shoes and sportswear, selling under the NIKE, Jordan, and Converse brands. It began in 1964 as Blue Ribbon Sports, when runner Phil Knight and his track coach Bill Bowerman sold Japanese shoes from a car trunk, renaming the company in 1971 after the Greek goddess of victory. Legend says Bowerman poured rubber into his wife's waffle iron to create the famous "waffle" sole.