this cutaway print of NIKE's iconic air max 1 reveals the history of the modern sneaker

british design studio, dorothy, has released its latest cutaway print to celebrate some of the greatest moments in the history of the modern sneaker. hidden inside NIKE‘s iconic air max 1, you’ll find all the key inventions and pop culture moments, which have all been lovingly detailed by illustrator, malik thomas.

the greatest moments in the history of the modern sneaker, all hidden inside the iconic NIKE air max 1

images courtesy of dorothy

designed by tinker hatfield and released in 1987, the NIKE air max is a design classic. it has in its 30 plus years of existence, established a devout cult-like following. inspired by the architecture of the centre pompidou, it was the first trainer to offer a window to the sole, kickstarting a revolution in sneaker design.

featuring cameos by chuck taylor, stan smith, adi dassler, bill bowerman, tinker hatfield…

the print starts with the invention of vulcanized rubber by charles goodyear in 1839 and includes chuck taylor’s sales partnership with converse in the 1920’s, jesse owens’ domination of the 1936 berlin olympics in dasslers, bill bowerman’s infamous experiments with his wife’s waffle iron in 1971. it also details the invention of air technology by NASA engineer, marion franklin rudy, michael jordan debuting the air jordan 1 in 1984, the launch of reebok instapump fury and the realization of NIKE’s first self-lacing trainers designed by tiffany beers (released 26 years after they were featured in back to the future part II).

…and run-DMC, virgil abloh, kim jones, jeremy scott, kanye west and pharrell williams

the cutaway also celebrates key ‘sneaker’ moments in popular culture like bruce lee wearing onitsuka tigers in game of death, run-DMC earning their stripes with the track my adidas, pelé winning his third world cup in puma kings, buggin’ out freaking out when his trainers get trashed in do the right thing, forrest gump in NIKE cortez, and of course marty mcfly in his NIKE MAGS.

moments in history like jesse owens’ domination of the 1936 berlin olympics in dasslers and puma wearing tommie smith at the 1958 mexico olympics

the work also features cameos by virgil abloh, kim jones, jeremy scott, eric B & rakim, flavor flav, jeff staple, stan smith, travis scott, tommie smith, pharrell-williams, eddie murphy, kanye west, tyler the creator and NIKE’s short-lived superhero, swoosh. the sneakersheads illustration is available as a 3 col litho print from dorothy’s online store here.

moments in popular culture like marty mcfly in his NIKE MAGS later realized by tiffany beers (and released 26 years after they were featured in back to the future II)

and michael jordan debuting the air jordan 1 in 1984

project info:

project name: inside information: sneakerheads

concept and art direction: dorothy

illustration: malik thomas

dimensions: h50 x w70cm

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: lynne myers | designboom