Modo Enterprises

HOPLITE PHALANX

HOPLITE PHALANX is a sports apparel and fitness project which focuses on major name brands and outlets. This project is a based on premium internet domain names and websites which can be used to either multi-brand and or build a single brands equity.

An example of a major brand is the Nike Pro brand. Nike Pro is an all encompassing brand which offers state-of-the art Nike technologies for a wide range of Nike products.

For more information about Modo Enterprises projects, visit our Projects listing page.

Nike Timeline

• 1955 – Co-Founders Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight met at the University of Oregon, in Eugene. Bill Bowerman was the track coach, and Phil Knight was one of his middle distance runners.
• 1960 – Bill Bowerman, believing that there is a direct relationship between equipment and athletic performance, handcrafts shoes for his runners at the University of Oregon.
• 1962 – Phil Knight's business paper at Stanford asserts that low-priced, high-performance, well-merchandised exports from Japan could replace Germany's domination of the U.S. athletic shoe industry. After receiving his MBA, Knight takes a world tour. Stopping in Japan, he contacts the Onitsuka Tiger company, manufactureers of quality athletic shoes, and persuades Onitsuka to give Knight a distributorship for Tiger shoes in the western U.S.. Put on the spot to name his distribution company, Knight makes up "Blue Ribbon Sports," the forerunner of Nike.
• 1964 – Knight's first shipment of Tiger shoe samples arrive in January
• 1964 – Knight and Bowerman join together in the new enterprise with a handshake agreement on January 25. Each agrees to contribute $500 to the partnership. The first shipment of 300 pairs of Tiger running shoes arrives in April, and sells out in three weeks. Knight works for an accounting firm and in his spare time distributes the shoes from his father's basement, and out of the back of his car at local and regional track meets.
• 1964 – Nike's unconventional marketing efforts begin like no other company's - by servicing the athletes. Nike takes the product directly to the consumer/athlete. Knight sends a mailing to dozens of Northwest high school and track programs, informing them of Blue Ribbon Sports and Tiger shoes.
• 1965 – Jeff Johnson, against whom Knight had competed in intramural track at Stanford, agrees to work on commission as BRS' first full=time employee. Bill Bowerman works on prototypes for new running shoes and provides feedback to Tiger on concepts for future footwear development.
• 1966 – Jeff Johnson opens the first BRS retail outlet in Santa Monica, California. Knight and Bowerman convert their handshake agreement from 1964 into a formal written partnership on April 26.
• 1967 – Knight and Bowerman incorporate BRS, Inc., on December 26, as an Oregon corporation, successor to their partnership known as Blue Ribbon Sports, BRS, Inc. (doing business as Blue Ribbon Sports) is the exclusive marketer, distributor, and seller of Onitsuka Tiger runing shoes imported from Japan. The shoes are based on a foam cushion heel wedge design proposed by Bill Bowerman.
• 1968 – The first BRS West retail store is opened in Eugene, Oregon. Bill Bowerman's running shoe, originally called the "Mexico" and then the "Aztec," is renamed "Cortez," and quickly becomes a top-selling shoe for BRS.
• 1969 – Knight resigns his position as Assistant Professor of Business Administration at Portland State University to devote himself full time to the company.
• 1970 – Bowerman begins experimenting with rubber spikes by pouring a liquid rubber compound into his wife's waffle iron, creating a sole that forever changes the design of running shoes.
• 1971 – For a fee of $35, the Swoosh trademark is created by a graphic design student named Carolyn Davidson, whom Phil Knight had met at Portland State University.
• 1971 – Jeff Johnson, Nike's first employee, makes his most enduring contribution to the company. While sleeping, he dreams of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory - giving Blue Ribbon Sports the name for the first footwear to feature the "Swoosh" mark, a soccer cleat called "The Nike." Nike wins out over Knight's idea of calling the new shoe "Dimension 6." The shoe, manufactured in Mexico, hits the retail market. A Nike T-shirt promoting this shoe becomes the company's first apparel item.
• 1971 – Frustrated with the inability to secure loans at local banks, Knight finds a new method of creative financing. Through the Bank of Tokyo, a trading company called Nissho Iwai introduces BRS to import letters of credit and lays the foundation for future rapid growth.
• 1972 – A distribution dispute leads to litigation and an eventual break in business relations between BRS and Onitsuka Tiger.
• 1972 – BRS debuts the Nike line of footwear at the National Sporting Goods shows in Chicago in February, and retailers agree to carry the new line based in part on their trust in Blue Ribbon Sports.
• 1972 – BRS unveils Nike "Moon Shoes" featuring Bowerman's Waffle sole for athletes competing at the Eugene Trials in June. T-shirts featuring a lower-case "nike" script logo, designed by Carolyn Davidson, cause many to ask, "Who's Mike?" Marathoner Jeff Galloway is the first athlete to wear Nike shoes across a finish line in competition.
• 1973 – Hot-tempered Romanian tennis star Ilie Nastase becomes the first professional athlete to sign an endoresement contract with Blue Ribbon Sports to wear Nike shoes.
• 1973 – American record-holer Steve Prefontaine becomes the first major track athlete to wear Nike brand shoes. He converts many of his fellow competitors to the young brand. Nike's first fit innovation - the sleek, foot-forming shape of the one-piece toe - is diven by Prefontaine and fittingly named the Pre-Montreal.
• 1974 – The Waffle Trainer is introduced, featuring Bill Bowerman's famous Waffle outsole. It quickly becomes the best-selling training shoe in the country.
• 1975 – Steve Prefontaine dies in a car accident in Eugene, Oregon on May 30. At the time of his death, Pre holds the American records at every distance from 2,000 to 10,000 meters. It is a feat never accomplished before or since. The loss of America's best runner has an enormous impact on Nike and the running world.
• 1976 – At the Eugene Track & Field Trials, Nike shoes are seen in abundance for the first time - worn by young, rising stars in both middle- and long-distance events. The Eugene-based trials signal a promising future for the company's promotional activities.
• 1977 – BRS starts the first U.S. track-and-field training club for elite post-collegiate track athletes, calling it Althetics West.
• 1977 – "There is no finish line." If there is any way to describe the fire of a true competitor, or the internal ethos of Nike, it was the tagline for its 1977 ad, which later became Nike's first poster.
• 1978 – Blue Ribbon Sports officially changes its name to NIKE, Inc. on May 30. Tennis great John McEnroe signs a deal with the company. Nike recognizes itself in McEnroe's colorful character and feisty personality. Nike's first children's shoes are also introduced.
• 1978 – After coming to Nike in 1977 with an idea that Nike helps to refine former aerospace engineer Frank Rudy and Nike create the first Air-Sole units; durable bags filled with pressurized gas that compress under impact, then spring back. The result is Nike Air cushioning, the single greatest footwear cushioning innovation ever developed.
• 1979 – After a limited release in Hawaii timed to the Honolulu Marathon on November 30, 1978, Nike introduces the Tailwind in early 1979, the first runing shoe with Nike Air, the technologically advanced, patented Air-Sole cushioning system. Nike's Exeter research and design lab creates the first outsole mold using computer-aided design on March 1.
• 1980 – The Exeter Research & Development Center, featuring a Biomechanics Lab that is called "the most sophisticated biomechanics shoe testing facility in the world," opens in New Hampshire in July. It is the forerunner of the Nike Sports Research Lab, which is located at Nike's world headquarters in Oregon.
• 1980 – The first athlete to medal wearing Nike shoes is British runner, Steve Ovett. Though a U.S. boycott prevented America's best distance runners a chance to medal at Moscow. It gave Ovett a golden opportunity. Competing in the 800m, Ovett clinched a gold medal in 1:45.4. For the first time, Nike shoes graced the highest podium beneath the flame.
• 1980 – Nike completes an initial public offering of 2,377,000 shares of Class B common stock on December 2. Negotiations start with the People's Republic of China for production of Nike shoes there.
• 1981 – Nike begins promotional efforts in China by supplying the men's and women's national basketball teams with footwear and apparel in March. BRS, Inc., the subsidiary of NIKE, Inc., is merged into NIKE, Inc. on December 31. NIKE, Inc. is the surviving corporation. The first Nike European headquarters opens in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
• 1982 – Nike opens a footwear distribution center in Memphis, Tennessee on June 14.
• 1982 – Dan Wieden and Dave Kennedy create their own firm, Wieden+Kennedy, on April 1, and take the Nike account with them. Phil Knight's first words to Wieden, when they meet at a Nike sales meeting in Sun Valley, Idaho, are "I'm Phil Knight, and I hate advertising." The first national television ads created by Nike and Wieden+Kennedy debut during the ABC telecast of the New York Marathon on October 24.
• 1982 – The Air Force 1 basketball shoe is introduced, the first Nike basketball shoe to incorporate Nike Air cushioning technology.
• 1983 – Nike-shoed Joan Benolt shatters the women's world marathon record just four months before 23 Nike-supported athletes capture medals in the inaugural World Track and Field Championships in Helsinki, Finland. That was a major campaign and helped change the IOC's stance on women's ability to run long distances. Then, of course, Joan later won gold in 1984 in Los Angeles.
• 1984 – Building-sized murals and billboards of Nike-endorsed athletes pop up through Los Angeles as part of the Cities Campaign, a push that coordinated product, advertising and merchanding. In Los Angeles, 58 Nike-supported athletes from around the globe take home 65 medals.
• 1985 – The first Air Jordan basketball shoes bebut at retail in March, endorsed by Chicago Bulls basketball rookie Michael Jordan. For the first time, the entire men's Final Four consists of Nike-partner univiersities - Villanova, Georgetown, Memphis State and St. John's.
• 1986 – Revenues top the landmark billion-dollar mark. Nike debuts two apparel collections - one featuring John McEnroe for tennis an the other for Michael Jordan for basketball.
• 1987 – Fueled by Nike, Cross-Training emerges as the natural evolution of the fitness revolution, led by the Air Trainer High shoe - cushioned enough for court sports and aerobics.
• 1987 – The Air Max shoe, giving athletes their first look at Nike-AIR cushioning, is introduced by the controversial "Revolution" ad campaign. Nike manages to license the Beatles' hit song of the same name, an unprecedented move. It remains the only time a song recorded by the Beatles has been used in an ad.
• 1988 – Just Do It: Chosen by Ad Age as one of the top two taglines of the 20th Century, it is both universal and intensely personal. This campaign is now ensconced in the Americana exhibit at the Smithsonian National Museum - truly part of America's history.
• 1988 – Nike breaks new ground with the acquisition of Cole Haan. The American luxury brand makes men's and women's footwear, accessories and outerwear focusing on craftsmanship, design innovation and character.
• 1990 – The doors open to the Nike World Campus, located west of Portland near Beaverton, Oregon. The Campus sits on 76 acres and offers 570,000 square feet of breathtaking work space throughout seven buildings, each named after a special athlete.
• 1990 – The first Niketown opens in Portland, Oregon. The store invents pure sports retail theatre with 23,095 sq. ft. of athlete-driven, award-winning design.
• 1991 – Michael Jordan leads the Chicago Bulls to their first NBA Championship. Meanwhile, director Spike Lee brings his film persona Mars Blackmon to a series of Nike ads featuring Michael Jordan. The ads are a huge success and launch several catch-phrases, including "It's gotta be the shoes."
• 1992 – Every medalist on the USA Track and Field team in Barcelona wears Nike apparel. And they will do so for every event into the next century as a result of an exclusive agreement between Nike and The Athletics Congress.
• 1993 – Nike introduces an innovative sustainability program, Reuse-A-Shoe which collects athletic shoes, separates and grinds them up into Nike Grind, which is used in the making of athletic courts, tracks and fields.
• 1993 – Nike acquires Sports Specialties Corporation, the world's largest marketer and distributor of licensed team logo headwear. Sports Specialties Corporation later changes its name to Nike Team Sports, Inc., which ultimately becomes a division of NIKE, Inc..
• 1995 – Nike signs the Brazilian National Football Team, setting the stage for explosive groth in Nike's international football (soccer) business.
• 1995 – Nike enters the hockey arena with the acquisition of Canstar Sports Inc., which includes Bauer, and introduces its first skate, Air Eccell Elite. All Canstar brands are later consolidated under the Bauer brand name in 1998.
• 1996 – In November 1996, Niketown New York opens its 85,000 square foot of innovative retail design and sports heritage.
• 1996 – Track star Michael Johnson's famous gold spikes help win the 200m and 400m gold, weighing in at only three ounces. Carl Lewis, Gail Devers and other Nike-partner athletes win their own gold in Atlanta.
• 1996 – Days after electing to turn professional in August, Tiger Woods signs a contract to endorse Nike Golf apparel and footwear. Nike develops a line of golf apparel and footwear in his name. The following April, he wins his first Masters by an unprecedented 12 strokes, becoming Augusta's youngest champion and officially beginning his reign over golf.
• 1997 – Nike designers approach the design of the first Nike running watch from a different angle-literally. The Nike Triax is honored as the IDSA's "Design of the Decade."
• 1998 – Phil Knight formally commits Nike to strict standards for manufacturing facilities used by Nike, including: minimum age; air quality; mandatory education programs; expansion of microloan program; factory monitoring; and enhanced transparency of Nike's corporate responsibility practicies.
• 1998 – Bauer Nike Hockey is formed. Former Canstar brands are consolidated under the Bauer brand name.
• 1998 – Nike Golf introduced golf balls.
• 1999 – Lance Armstrong wins the first of what would be a record seven consecutive Tour de France races. The Nike athlete and cancer survivor makes world headlines in Paris on July 25, with one of the most stunning comebacks ever in the history of sport.
• 1999 – Nike's European Headquarters, a state-of-the-art complex opens in Hilversum, The Netherlands. The facility sets new standards for environmentally sensitive construction.
• 1999 – In December, Sydney organizers approach Nike to sponsor the Australian Team. Nike has less than eight months to design, develop and produce more than 122,000 individual pieces of apparel. The normal timeline for apparel, design to delivery, is 18 months. Nike comes through on a grand-scale, ensuring every team has the finest product for competition.
• 1999 – Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman steps down from Nike's Board of Directors. Phil Knight establishes the Bowerman Track Renovation Program in Bowerman's honor to be used to renovate youth track and field facilities around the world. On December 24, Bill Bowerman passes away in his sleep at age 88.
• 2000 – Nike Air Presto, otherwise known as a "t-shirt for your feet," is launched. It's a revolutionary approach to fit, comfort and sizing in a lightweight running shoe, available in six sizes (XXS, XS, S, M, L, XL) and many different colors.
• 2000 – Nike Golf sales surge after Tiger Woods switches to Nike Precision Tour Accuracy golf balls and wins three majors during the season. Nike Golf introduced golf balls in 1998.
• 2000 – After 16 years of stop-and-go research and development, Nike unveils a radically different cushioning technology - Nike Shox. Using materials used for the engine mounts of racecars, designers are able to provide stable, spring-like pillars of resistance for a new generation of runners.
• 2000 – Sydney gives Nike the perfect opportunity to introduce high-performance, innovative products to the world, including revealing the lightest track spike ever made, the aerodynamic and thermo-regulatory Swift Suit and teh recyclable Marathon Singlet.
• 2001 – Following the events of September 11, Nike remembers the victims and families touched by this tragedy and honors America's firefighters by running. Some 265 employees run a seven-week relay to raise money for the victims' families. Called Run Across America, the relay starts October 11 in Astoria, Oregon and includes stops at 44 firehouses along the way before ending in New York City in late November.
• 2002 – Speedskaters wearing Nike Swift Skin suits set eight world records and earn gold medals in Salt Lake City. Nike's ad, called "Move," is honored with an Emmy Award.

Converse Timeline

• 1908 – Marquis Mills Converse founds the Converse Rubber Shoe Company in Malden, MA.
• 1915 – Production of canvas footwear begins, offering year-round work to Converse employees.
• 1917 – The world's first performance basketball shoe, Converse All Star® sneaker, comes off factory lines.
• 1918 – Converse is producing upwards of 15,000 pairs daily of heavy shoes - 20,000 when the tennis shoe run was large; canvas shoe production doubles; Chuck Taylor laces up his first pair of All Star sneakers.
• 1921 – Charles "Chuck" Taylor joins Converse with some ideas for All Star improvement, becomes what may be America's first player-endorser, and publishes the first edition of the Converse Basketball Yearbook. A year later, he teaches his first basketball clinic at NC State.
• 1923 – The Harlem Renaissance is founded. Sometimes known as the New York Rens, They barnstormed across the country until 1949, compiling a record of 2318-381, reshaping basketball into something closer to the fast-paced game we know today, and winning the first World's Championship (in 1939). They wore Converse.
• 1930s – Chuck Taylor's signature is added to the All Star ankle patch, marking what has been referred to as the first-ever signature basketball shoe. Chuck himself begins his 35-year tour across the country.
• 1935 – Badminton champ Jack Purcell designs his innovative and durable signature court shoe.
• 1939 – First NCAA championship game held with both teams playing in Chuck Taylor® All Star® sneakers.
• 1942 – Converse shifts production to support the war effort, designing the A6 Flying Boot-worn by the entire U.S. Army Air Corp-and Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers for basic training.
• 1949 – The Basketball Association of America and the National Basketball League merge to form the NBA. Virtually every player is wearing Chuck Taylor All Star sneakers.
• 1962 – Converse develops a low cut version of the All Star sneaker-the "oxford" - which soon became the shoe of choice for both pro players and those looking for a laid back, West Coast vibe.
• 1966 – The All Star sneaker becomes available in seven colors (in addition to the original black and white offerings).
• 1974 – The One Star® sneaker drops in, the low-cut performance shoe that would become a skate staple.
• 1976 – The Pro Leather shoe comes to dominate professional basketball courts.
• 1981 – Converse establishes one of the industry's first biometrics labs.
• 1984 – Converse is official footwear sponsor or the LA Olympics; the U.S. Men's basketball team wins gold while wearing Converse.
• 1986 – Converse launches the "Choose Your Weapon" campaign.
• 1991 – Converse launches "Grandmama" campaign.
• 1992 – The All Star sneaker celebrates its 75th anniversary, with 500 hundred million pairs sold globally.
• 1994 – The seventh "Grandmama" commercial ("Welcome to 3-Point Land") premiers on televised broadcast of Super Bowl XXVIII.
• 2003 – Converse signs 83-year-old basketball legend John Isaacs, the last surviving member of the the New York Rens.
• 2003 – Converse signs Dwyane Wade, Kirk Hinrich and Jameer Nelson. Converse is purchased by NIKE, Inc. making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.
• 2004 – Converse launches Brand Democracy campaign, asking kids to add their voice to Converse advertising.
• 2005 – Converse launches both its first-ever apparel line in conjunction with John Varvatos and the Dwyane Wade signature line (the latter of which being the first Converse basketball signature line since the Chuck Taylor All Star shoe debuted).
• 2006 – Converse joins (PRODUCT) RED™, becoming part of the consciousness consumerism movement.
• 2008 – Converse celebrates its 100th anniversary.