Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight co-founded Blue Ribbon Sports in the 1960s, which later became Nike in 1971. They focused on innovative shoes. In 1971, Nike introduced its first shoe with the waffle sole, which became a footwear sensation for its lightweight design and grip. In 1984, Nike signed Michael Jordan and released the iconic Air Jordan 1 shoes, which helped define Nike's brand identity. Nike has since grown into a leading sportswear company known for its performance athletic shoes and apparel, as well as large-scale marketing campaigns featuring famous athletes.