50 Moments That Changed Sneaker Culture Forever

From on court to on stage to on stands.

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Sneakers have come a long way. In their hundred-plus year history, they've gone from primitive pieces of athletic equipment to status symbols, from on-court wear to everywhere. And along the way, they've impacted everything from sports to retail to entertainment. Whether you believe that there is an actual "sneaker culture" or not, you can't argue that the once lowly sneaker has left its mark on culture as a whole. So, from that whole history, we present 50 Moments That Changed Sneaker Culture Forever, in chronological order. Read and learn.

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Chuck Taylor Joins Converse

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The Dassler Brothers Split Up

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Blue Ribbon Sports Is Founded

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The Van Doren Rubber Company Opens Their First Store

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adidas Releases the Abdul-Jabbar, the First Official "Signature Sneaker"

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Steve Prefontaine Dies in a Car Wreck at 24

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Dr. J Wins the ABA Slam Dunk Contest

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"Game of Death" Is Released

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Nike Officially Becomes Nike

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Wieden & Kennedy is Established, with Nike as Their Main Client

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"Fast Times at Ridgemont High" Is Released

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Michael Jordan Signs with Nike

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Michael Jordan Debuts the Air Jordan in the Regular Season

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Tinker Hatfield Switches to Sneaker Design

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Georgetown Debuts the Terminator

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The Nike Air Jordan is Released

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Michael Jordan Scores 63 Points in Boston in the NBA Playoffs

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Run DMC Releases "My Adidas"

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"The Search For Animal Chin" Releases

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Michael Jordan Wins the 1988 Slam Dunk Contest

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Biz Markie Releases "Goin' Off"

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Vans Signs Steve Caballero

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Michael Jordan Hits "The Shot"

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"Do The Right Thing" Is Released

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"Back To The Future Part II" Is Released

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"Your Sneakers or Your Life" Covers Sports Illustrated

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Dee Brown Pumps Up

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Bobbito's "Confessions of a Sneaker Addict" Runs in The Source

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The Fab Five Starts For Michigan

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Nike Releases the First Retro Air Jordan

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Michael Jordan Debuts the Air Jordan XI

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eBay Is Founded

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Allen Iverson Signs with Reebok

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Reebok Releases the Question

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Jordan Brand Officially Splits from Nike

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SLAM Presents KICKS

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The And1 Mixtape Drops

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NIKEiD Offers Its First Shoe

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Niketalk Starts

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Vince Carter Jumps Over Frederic Weis in the Olympics

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The First Issue of Sneaker Freaker Is Published

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The H-Town Sneaker Summit Is Founded

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Nike Releases the Second "Artist's Series" Collection

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Fat Joe Licks the Soles of His Sneakers on "MTV Cribs"

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The Nike SB "Pigeon" Dunk Releases

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Flight Club Opens in NYC

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Kanye West Debuts the Air Yeezy at the Grammys

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Harputs Closes

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Instagram Founded

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Nike Releases the Air MAG At Auction

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