The soul of the Swoosh, Bill Bowerman, is still adding to his resume 15 years after his passing. Bowerman is set to be honored and inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame, recognizing his historical innovation for Nike. Already a member of the National Distance Running Hall of Fame, the USA National Track and Field Hall of Fame and the Oregon Athletic Hall of Fame, this accomplishment somewhat steps away from the lanes and spotlights his legacy as a technological inventor. Most famously coming up with the Nike Waffle Trainer, the running sneaker in which he designed using his wife’s waffle iron in 1974, Bowerman was awarded eight registered patents in total, with some of his design inspirations later leading to some of the Swoosh’s most iconic creations.
The legend’s impact on his brand’s culture of innovation continues, as the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office granted more than 540 patents to Nike in 2013 alone. Bill Bowerman is now forever enshrined in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office in Alexandria, VA, for his inventions that helped stimulate growth in the United States and lead the charge in the redefinition of an entire industry.
