The Nike Swoosh symbol is recognized globally and can stand on its own without mentioning the Oregon-based sports apparel giant. Created by Carolyn Davidson, a graphic design student at Portland State University (PSU), this enduring logo has become an iconic symbol that has undergone only minor changes since its original design in the early 1970s. 

The origin of the Swoosh traces back to a serendipitous meeting between Davidson and future business kingpin Phil Knight, who was then a part-time accounting instructor at the university. 

One day, as Knight passed Davidson in a hallway, he overheard her talking to some friends about how she wanted to take an oil painting class but couldn’t afford the paints. When they next met, Knight said, “Excuse me, are you the one who can’t afford to take oil painting?”

Knight explained he needed a part-time graphic artist to develop charts and graphs for his business meetings. Since 1964, he and his partner Bill Bowerman had operated Blue Ribbon Sports, the West Coast distributor for the Onitsuka Company’s Tiger shoes from Japan. Knight offered her two dollars an hour for her services, which Davidson eagerly accepted.

Davidson successfully completed several projects for Knight when, in 1971, he presented her with a new challenge—an assignment to create a logo. Due to complications with Onitsuka, Knight and Bowerman had decided to launch their own line of athletic shoes under the brand name Nike, inspired by the Greek goddess of victory. With a factory in Mexico poised to start production, they needed a logo that symbolized motion and speed for their fledgling footwear.

Davidson figured she worked 17.5 hours on the project, so she submitted a bill for $35—the equivalent of about $250 today. She presented five designs, each sketched on tracing paper and positioned over a shoe outline. Knight was not particularly fond of any of the designs, but he selected the wing-like Swoosh, remarking, “Well, I don’t love it, but maybe it will grow on me.”

Blue Ribbon Sports became Nike later that year, and the Swoosh swiftly ascended to become one of the most recognizable logos worldwide. It adorned everything from Nike’s shoes, socks and pants to hats, T-shirts, jerseys and coats.

Davidson, who completed her degree at Portland State University, remained with Nike until 1975. She then chose to pursue freelance work and dedicate time to charity volunteering from home.

In September 1983, Knight invited Davidson to lunch at the Nike headquarters, which unexpectedly turned into a surprise celebration in her honor. Reflecting on their beginnings, Knight humorously noted his relief that his initial $35 payment hadn’t bounced. At the party, Davidson was presented with a box of chocolate Swooshes, a Swoosh-shaped gold ring and 500 shares of Nike stock.

Thanks to numerous stock splits over more than four decades, Davidson’s holdings in Nike had grown to about 32,000 shares, valued at approximately $4 million. Remarkably, Davidson has apparently never cashed in a single one of those shares.