A Brief History of the Nike Air Max 1

There hasn't been a sneaker as pivotal to Nike’s success as the Air Max 1. Its history has been well documented over its 30-plus years in circulation, and at times the story has been inflated with plenty of hot Air. However, here is the definitive brief history of the Nike Air Max 1. Think of it as crib notes for kicks!

Revolutionary Legal Trouble

Court stoushes and litigation may be a prickly topic these days in the footwear industry, but Nike appeared to relish the fact when they attracted the ire of Apple Records’ lawyers in 1987-88. Nike – or rather, their ad agency Wieden+Kennedy – used The Beatles song ‘Revolution’ to market the fitness revolution that would indeed follow with the launch of the Air Max. The infamy that ensued included an out-of-court settlement, the first and only time an original Beatles recording was ever used in an advertisement, and a lot of time (and money) spent on Air Max shoes.