In the world of performance running, Asics has quickly risen from its humble beginnings in the 1940s to become one of the most popular footwear brands for athletes. You may be surprised to learn that Asics was one of the first brands to use gel-based design to improve the cushioning and comfort of running shoes. But the Asics GEL technology was not a lucky break - the team behind the technology conducted extensive research and development to create a cushioning system that was both comfortable and durable.
The Asics design team started experimentation with gel technology by taking inspiration from observations of silicone gels used to reduce vibrations in machinery and appliances. They noticed that the silicone within the appliances acted as a shock absorber and cushioning agent, leading them to ask whether the same technology could be applied to running shoes.
To answer this question, the Asics team conducted a series of tests with their gel technology. The most famous of these tests was when they dropped an egg from 18 meters high and noticed that the silicone gel contained within the substance had been able to absorb much of the impact and protect the egg from breaking.
While the test proved the ability of the gel to absorb impact, they still faced the challenge of containing the semi-fluid substance within a shoe to cushion the foot while running and create a product that didn't break down too quickly. This is where their biometric and design technologies came into play. By inserting the gel into cavities in the sole of a shoe, they created a cushioning system that reduced impact while running and provided long-term durability. The result was the ASICS GT-II™ running shoe - the first-ever pair of performance running shoes with GEL cushioning.
For innovators, Asics is proof that there's always something new to discover. By taking a page out of a seemingly unrelated industry - appliances-they were able to develop a cushioning system that changed how athletes run for generations. Asics GEL technology has since become a staple in the design of performance running shoes and is just one example of how innovation can take current concepts and turn them into excellent products.
Even though there was a lack of initial interest in the windshield wiper, Anderson's invention has now become an integral part of automotive safety and convenience. Her patent (#743,801 Window Cleaning Device) is a testament to how curiosity in everyday routines can spark innovation. Curiosity makes us wonder - who knows how our roads might look today if she had never taken that rainy ride on the streetcar?
What If Nasa Designed a Futuristic Football Boot?
With the media surrounding the 2022 FIFA World Cup hype, there's never been a better time to push the limits of innovation in football boots.
I have been creating a series of "What If?", pairing up footwear and non-footwear brands to create some unexpected outcomes and create forced connections. My latest design concept is What If Nasa Designed a Futuristic Football Boot? In this concept, I have looked for ways to bring together two uniquely different universes - football and space exploration.
The NASA-inspired football boot has a futuristic, minimal aesthetic that can be seen from the upper through to the studs, which light up and activate gravity resistance sensors to enhance shot accuracies. The boot helps you defy the rules of gravity when playing in outer space, creating an entirely new dimension to the game.