Nike Swoosh

The Nike logo, that of a swoosh, is unexpectedly iconic today for how simply it was originally created. The Nike team hired an art student to design the logo, paying her $35 for her work. No one on the team was especially satisfied with it, but time was of the essence for the shoes to hit stores. Thus, they discussed the merits of the logo, which looked like a “a wing,” “a whoosh of air,” and “something a runner might leave in his or her wake” (181). To them, it represented victory.

Blue Ribbon

Knight uses blue ribbons to symbolize youth. The first mention of blue ribbons in the text occurs when Onitsuka asks him what company he represents. At the time, of course, Knight does not have or work for any company. Thus, in the heat of the moment, he makes up the name Blue Ribbon sports...