In 1977, a former aerospace engineer named Marion “Frank” Rudy forever altered the landscape of the athletic footwear industry when he initially approached adidas with his invention of a gas-inflated membrane cushioning system, was flatly turned down, and eventually brought the shock-absorption technology to a small Beaverton, OR-based company called Nike.

First used in the Nike Air Tailwind running shoe, the cushioning system has since been known as Nike “Air” and inextricable tied to the heritage and growth of the Swoosh ever since. One of Nike’s official websites describes Rudy’s “Air” invention as “durable bags filled with pressurized gas that compress under impact, then spring back.”

In the words of current Nike CEO Mark Parker: “Frank Rudy holds a singular place in the pantheon of Nike innovation. His relentless creativity and focus on solving problems was in many ways the template for how Nike pursues performance to this very day.”

Check this link for a narrated video of Frank Rudy describing his “very simple but complicated as hell” invention. Also look for Nike to re-introduce “Air” in a company-wide marketing platform launching in Spring 2010 called “Fresh Air“, which we originally reported on in our notes on the Nike Q2 2010 Earnings Conference Call. Continue reading for more images of Frank Rudy, Inventor of Nike Air technology.

Marion Franklin Rudy: January 24, 1925 – December 13, 2009