You might be surprised to know that one of the world's dominant shoe, sports

equipment and clothing brands was actually named after the Greek goddess of
victory and that the inspiration for the name struck during a dream.  

It began in 1964 with a casual agreement and a handshake between University of

Oregon track coach Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight, a middle-distance runner. The
pair formed Blue Ribbon Sports and began importing Japanese brand Onitsuka Tiger
running shoes, known today as ASICs, for sale in the U.S. 

In 1967, Knight and Bowerman made the handshake deal formal and incorporated as
BRS Inc. Jeff Johnson signed on in 1965 as the company's first full-time salesperson
and opened Blue Ribbon Sports' first retail outlet the following year. In 1971, Johnson
made an incalculable contribution to the company: One night, he dreamed of Nike,
the Greek goddess of victory, and suggested the name to his bosses. The company
used the moniker for its first footwear product to feature the "Swoosh" mark -- a
soccer cleat called the Nike, whose name beat out Knight's suggestion that they call
it the Dimension 6. 

The Swoosh trademark was created by a graphic-design student from Portland State
University named Carolyn Davidson. She got $35 for her creation.