Nike Trainers

Pair of trainers, Nike, 1998. Museum no. B.3-1999 (click image for larger version)

These yellow Baby Max Triax IV trainers were made by Nike in Indonesia in 1998. They illustrate the increasing importance of commercial brands, even for babies.

Nike was founded in 1958 by Phil Knight, a track runner. He and his coach designed a running shoe that was made for them by Blue Ribbon Shoes. Knight later renamed the company Nike after the ancient Greek goddess of Victory. He also originated the use of the company's tick-shaped 'swoosh' logo - this is so well recognised that it is often used on its own to identify Nike's products.

Trainers derive from the revolutionary athletics shoes designed in the 1950s by Adi Dassler, founder of the sportswear firm Adidas. Their comfort and durability has led to them being popular as leisurewear by adults and increasingly by younger children.

They are probably the most popular form of children's footwear today. They have also evolved as decorative fashion items, novelty shoes and cult collectors' pieces. This toddler-sized pair is equally concerned with comfort and safety, but they make a startling visual contrast to some of the toddlers' first shoes manufactured by companies such as StartRite and Clarks.