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Nike presents the history of its Air Force 1 in a series of illustrations

Shop the iconic silhouette here

The shoe is quickly adopted by some of the NBA’s most high-profile big men

Nike has seen hundreds of silhouettes and sneaker designs over its 54 year history and while many hold the current hype of 2018, its the classics that continue to live on. The word “iconic” is loosely used nowadays, but when it’s applied to the Air Force 1, it holds truth. The epitome of basketball and streetwear alike, the Air Force 1 was first made available in 1982, and after the sporting giant celebrated 20 years of the Air Max Plus, it has now looked to the shoe that sparked Nike’s success.

If you type “Nike’s history” into google, the slew of articles, interviews and throwback sneakers that surface is endless providing a labyrinth of information. Instead, Nike has celebrated the Air Force 1 with a simple and entertaining series of illustrations, detailing the birth and continuation of the famous silhouette.

From subtle updates to bold overhauls, check out the gallery, before shopping ICON’s pick below.

Nike debuts the Air Force 1

The shoe is quickly adopted by some of the NBA’s most high-profile big men

Nike introduces the AF1 Low

Nike planned to discontinue the model, but thanks to Baltimore’s enthusiastic wearers — and local retailers' “Color of the Month Club,” to encourage new colorways — the AF1 lived on