Sneaker collaborations continue to dominate the market. As celebrities and designers work hand-in-hand with athletic companies to create one-of-a-kind limited editions, the rest of the world has certainly taken notice. Resale values have skyrocketed and it’s now a multi-million dollar business. From individuals reselling on Depop to websites completely dedicated to reselling such as StockX, there is no denying that this business model is here to stay. Well, for now, at least.

Every athletic company has had some amazing collaborations over the years but none quite as impressive as Nike and Puma. But how did these brands get their start? What are some of their most famous collabs? Keep reading for some fun facts you can throw out at your next family function, backyard BBQ, or workplace water cooler moment. 

Nike

August_0802/Shutterstock

There’s no denying that Nike is the most popular brand for athletic gear. They dominate approximately 62% of the market on their own, leaving the other percentage to be divided up amongst Puma, Adidas, Reebok, and everyone else who has ever produced a sneaker.

Nike was founded on January 25, 1964, by Phil Knight and Bill Bowerman. Knight was a track athlete at the University of Oregon at Beaverton and Bowerman was his coach. The company was initially called Blue Ribbon Sports and operated as a distributor for Japanese shoemaker Onitsuka Tiger.

In 1971, the company changed its name to Nike, Inc. and the rest, as they say, is history. Why the name Nike? In Greek mythology, she is the goddess of speed, strength, and victory which are the exact qualities an athlete is trying to emulate. Nike is usually pictured as having wings, which is where the idea for the Swoosh stems from.

Fun fact: The famous Nike swoosh was designed by Carolyn Davidson, a student at Portland State University, for the price of $35, which by today’s standards, equals around $200. She wanted to portray the spirit of the goddess, Nike, with a simple, yet elegant design that would also fit on the side of a shoe.