Air Jordan

Nike's Air Jordans--named, of course, after the man who many experts consider the greatest single player in basketball history, Michael Jordan--come in a variety of different colors and styles. In a unique marketing strategy, Nike has released a new Air Jordan 'model' every year since 1985, when the shoe was first put on the market. The original, 'Air Jordan I,' sported a thick toe and definitively '80s' look; the Air Jordan Is have since become classic collectors' items.

Since their initial release, there have been 20 different Air Jordan models. The most recent of these--the Air Jordan XX--sports the same Air Jordan image as the original (a small silhouette of Jordan himself, sailing towards one of his trademark dunks), but has otherwise changed significantly. The bulky toe and high, lace-up top of the original have given way to a more dynamic model, designed using a veritable army of modern features to help its wearer achieve maximum athletic success.

Surveying the history of the Air Jordan shoe from our current position, one can see that the shoe has undergone a number of evolutions in terms of both construction and style. Some of these changes mirrored advancements in the real Michael Jordan's career. For example, when Michael Jordan decided to represent the USA as part of the 1992 Olympic Dream Team, Nike chose an Olympic color combination for the Air Jordan XIIs.

Of course, for many people, Air Jordans play two roles. On the court (or track, field, etc.), they combine high style and design. Off the field, however, they become quick collectibles--coveted icons of past athletic fads and styles, many of which have long gone from the locker room to the closet shelf or glass display.