It is one of the best known logos in the world and Nike one of the largest multinationals on the planet. It is worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, LeBron James or Rafa Nadal after payment of millionaire contracts and Michael Jordan made it iconic in the nineties.
What perhaps few know is that the swoosh, the name of the Nike logo, represents a wing of the Greek goddess Athena Niké and was designed by Carolyn Davidson in 1971. The Oregon brand then gave her $ 35 for the design, according to Europa Press.
Davidson was a graphic design student and was commissioned by Phil Knight, an associate professor at Portland State University where the young woman studied. There, in Oregon, one of the greatest brands in history would be born. Knight was preparing a revolution with lightweight shoes that would multiply the performance of athletes around the world.
“I don't like it, but it will grow with me,” were Knight's words to Davidson before thanking him for the services rendered. There seemed to end the story.
12 years after the Blue Ribbon Sports took the name of Nike, Inc, Knight called Davidson to meet for lunch. What was not expected was that the creator of Nike came with a gold ring and brilliant with the logo of the swoosh, with a patent that registered her as the creator of the icon and with a number that was never known of the company's shares, one of the most valued in the world today.