The History of Air Max: From 1 to 97 Since its debut in 1987, the Nike Air Max line has become one of the most influential and iconic sneaker series in history. What began as an ambitious attempt to revolutionize athletic footwear has evolved into a cultural phenomenon—bridging sports, fashion, and street culture across decades. In this deep dive, we’ll explore the origins of the Air Max, its groundbreaking design evolution from the Air Max 1 to the Air Max 97, and its lasting impact on sneaker culture. Air Max 1: The Birth of Visible Air (1987) The story of Air Max begins with one man: Tinker Hatfield, a former…