Do the Revolution
Though Air had debuted at the Honolulu Marathon in 1978 and expanded into basketball in the Air Force 1 in 1982, the technology was still considered novel. Because of this, Nike executives rolled their eyes and shuffled nervously when Tinker Hatfield proposed that they remove a section of the Air Max’s midsole to make the Air unit visible.
Inspired by the transparent design of Paris’ Centre Georges Pompidou, Hatfield reasoned that having a visible Air unit would give the Air Max an incredibly unique look and keep the technology in the forefront of people’s minds. Released in 1987, the Air Max would release alongside the iconic “Air Revolution” commercial, which featured a stylized montage of both pro athletes and everyday people doing various activities. Helped by its groundbreaking commercial, the Air Max would become a resounding success for its head-turning colors, forward-thinking design, and excellent performance.
Always Look Out for Number One
Since then, the Air Max 1 has become one of Nike’s most popular retros. Notable brands and designers have lined up to release Air Max 1 collabs, constantly reinventing the timeless silhouette with new alterations and colorways.
Though other models have their hardcore fanbases, like the Air Max 90, the Air Max 95, and the Air Max 270, the original will always have a special place in the hearts of sneaker fans. Nike’s recent Air Max T-shirt releases are both vintage and bold, giving longtime fans an excellent way of rounding out their Air Max 1 fits.
