Episode 1: Nike, the goddess of victory, and the Nike logo

Synopsis: At HistARy, business history is never boring: we serve it up with humor and a touch of the divine. Today we uncover the origin of Nike's name and logo. There's a winged Greek goddess, an employee who dreamed the word "Nike," and a student who was paid $35 for the swoosh. And a warning before we begin: the goddess is not Athena.

Nike, the goddess of victory (and no, it's not Athena)

Imagine Mount Olympus, filled with gods who spend their days playing meteorologists and throwing parties that would put any summer festival to shame. Amidst lightning and banquets, there was one goddess who always appeared at the perfect moment: Nike, victory personified.

Nike was the daughter of the Titan Pallas and Styx, the goddess of the river of the underworld. The Greeks depicted her with wings, because victory comes flying… and goes just as quickly. She also often wore a laurel wreath to reward victors, whether gods, heroes, or athletes. If you want to learn more about her, the World History Encyclopedia has a Full profile on the goddess Nike.

It was, basically, the personal trainer from mythology. But forget about phrases like "Come on, you can do it!", because she already knew if you could... and if not, it's best not to cross paths with her.

And what about Athena? Here's where things get complicated. Athena was the goddess of wisdom and strategy, and Nike often accompanied her. That's why the Athenians worshipped "Athena Nike," meaning Athena as the bringer of victory. They even dedicated a temple to her on the Acropolis. However, her statue didn't have wings: according to Pausanias, this way victory could never leave Athens. In short, the goddess who gives her name to your shoes is Nike, the winged one.

From Olympus to the Nike logo: a name that came in dreams

So how did we go from Greek mythology to a logo you see everywhere, even in the gym? For that, we have to fast-forward the story about 25 centuries. Enter Phil Knight, co-founder of a small Oregon company that sold sneakers. In 1971, he needed a name for his own brand, and his favorite was… «Dimension Six.» Yes, you read that right.

Luckily, Jeff Johnson, the company's first employee, suggested another option at the last minute. He said the word came to him in a dream: Nike. Knight wasn't entirely convinced, but the trademark had to be registered immediately. So he agreed with a rather unheroic statement: "Maybe we'll end up liking it." In the end, they liked it quite a lot.

The birth of the Nike logo: $35 and a swoosh

The image was missing. Knight taught accounting at Portland State University, and there he met Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student. He asked her for a symbol that conveyed movement. No angel wings straight out of a '70s parade (we're not judging, it was the '70s). Carolyn solved it with a single curved line. That's how the famous swoosh, the Nike logo that half the planet recognizes today.

Was it inspired by the goddess's wing? There's no evidence of that. Even so, over the years many people have seen Nike's wing in that design. And, frankly, it fits too well to ignore.

Now comes the fun part. When Carolyn presented her work, Knight didn't bow down to it like an oracle. He simply said, "I don't love it, but I think I'll grow to like it." What a way to receive what would become a global icon!

How much did Carolyn Davidson charge for the Nike logo?

A measly 35 dollars. Yes, you read that right: 35. That's less than what a pair of insoles for your Nikes costs today. But, in a twist worthy of Olympus, in 1983 Knight surprised her with a gold ring with the swoosh and a diamond. He also gave her 500 shares of the company, which have since multiplied in value. Nike, the goddess of victory, would surely have approved.

Greek influence is everywhere, even in your sneakers.

This is how a winged goddess left her mark on the modern world: first on temples and coins, and later on a dreamy name and a $35 logo. And what does all this have to do with Barcelona? Although the Catalan capital wasn't a Greek polis, the Greek legacy is very close. In Empúries, on the Costa Brava, the Greeks of Phocaea founded a colony around 575 BC. And in Our HistARy tours of Barcelona We reveal these augmented reality connections on your mobile.

Your sneakers, a piece of Greek history

So, the next time you lace up your shoes, remember: you're not just getting ready for a workout, you're also walking on a piece of history. And who knows, maybe you'll feel the wind of victory at your back… or maybe you'll just make it to the store right before closing time. Nike, of course, would be proud!