Few know that behind the Air technology of the shoes nike, the one that popularized Michael Jordan on every flight in the NBA, there was an engineer from the POT who worked with the flights… to the Moon. her name was M.Frank Rudy (1925-2009).
Born with the name of Marion Frank Rudy (he would always be identified as M. Frank Rudy, or simply Frank Rudy), this NASA aeronautical engineer worked on the Apollo Program from the 1950s to the end of Apollo 11.
With only what I had done at that time He could already be considered a legend. But he still had a lot to give to humanity.
The creation of Nike Air technology, from NASA at our feet
After his retirement from NASA, Rudy worked with Nike, patenting an air-inflated sneaker sole. It followed the design to manufacture Apollo space helmets.
Nike executives knew that, on average, runners’ feet touch the ground 500-600 times for every kilometer. The impact on the joints is tremendous.
Therefore, it was necessary to create a way of caring for the health of athletes.
This is how technology was born Nike Air, which first premiered in the Nike Tailwind from 1978.
using the molding process to create hollow soles, he filled the hollow cavities with highly dense gases, sealed with rubber membranes. The result, as explained the EPO portal, it was a gas filled shock absorber cushion.
And Rudy was not alone in this technology. Others would come later. such as cushioning insoles, gel padding and helium-based Air padding. An innovator for the sport.
A New Tribute To M. Frank Rudy: The Nike Air Vapormax 2021 Air Pressure
Nike has paid several tributes to her M.Frank Rudy, and for this year a new one is expected with the Nike Air Vapormax 2021 Air Pressure.
These sneakers were made with a mix of colors Old Royal, Yellow Ocher and Red on a flyknit upper, paired with a matte yellow TPU heel clip and blue Vapormax branded pull tabs.
They also highlight pink flats and tabs graphic templates, among other elements.
As Hypebeast explains, Rounding out the iteration are pressure gauge hangtags and rubber outsole grips.
Sneakers Nike Air Vapormax 2021 Air Pressure, in homage to M. Frank Rudy, they will be on sale in the coming weeks, with no specific date yet. The value: $210 for each pair.
They will be sold through the official Nike website and in selected retail stores.