🧇 From Waffle Maker to Shoe Innovation

You may not think that waffles have much to do with running - other than being a tasty treat after a morning training run. But without Nike co-founder Bill Bowerman’s experiment with a waffle iron, the world of high-performance footwear may have been vastly different.

It all began in 1971 when Bowerman was experimenting with ways to make running shoes lighter and more cushioning. As a coach at the University of Oregon, Bowerman always looked for ways to give his athletes (including the legendary Steve Prefontaine) a competitive edge on the track. Bowerman was so obsessed with making better shoes that he even had a workshop in his garage where he would tinker with different materials for his athletes.
 

👟 The Birth of Nike's 'Waffle-Sole' Shoes

Bowerman wanted to create a new type of running shoe that would give his athletes unparalleled traction on artificial turf and natural pavement and be mass-producible so families could afford them for their children. One day while experimenting, Bowerman spotted his wife's waffle iron and had an epiphany: What if he could create a sole for his shoes that was patterned after the waffle iron's grid pattern? Pouring a liquid rubber mixture into the waffle iron and allowing it to set, he created a ridged sole featuring the same symmetrical pattern as a waffle.

This newly designed sole allowed for improved traction and reduced weight, thus creating Nike's iconic ‘waffle-sole’ shoes. Bowerman applied for a patent for his new waffle shoe in 1972, stating that the symmetrical waffle design used "short multi-sided polygon shaped studs... which provide gripping edges that give greatly improved traction."
 

🌟 The Lasting Impact of the Waffle-Sole Design

The resulting design became known as Nike's Waffle Trainer and was first released to the public in 1974. The shoes are still popular today, with the iconic Waffle Trainer model being released in new colorways each year. Bowerman went on to play a significant role along with Phil Knight (founder of Blue Ribbon Sports, which later changed its name to Nike) in developing the brand as we know it today.

Thanks to a chance encounter with a waffle iron, Bill Bowerman created some of the most iconic shoes in history that would revolutionize high-performance footwear and become a staple for running enthusiasts everywhere. If you look closely at the soles of many Nike shoes today, you’ll see a subtle reference to the waffle pattern, which has become a key part of the Nike DNA Design Language! It just shows - you never know what could happen if you combine a little creativity, an open mind, and a household cooking utensil!













DNA Paris Design Awards

I am delighted to have won first place with the Lamborghini Performance Footwear project at this year's DNA Paris Design Awards. This project was an exciting endeavor, allowing us to explore the concept of a Lamborghini-inspired shoe. For a comprehensive view of the project, including behind-the-scenes shots, you can check it out here.