swoosh

The swoosh is a corporate logo for Nike. It was bought by Phil Knight (CEO) in 1971 from graphic design student Carolyn Davidson for 35 dollars. The student offered him a number of options representing motion and Knight did not like any of them but he was under a deadline and had to choose something.

"I don't love it, but it will grow on me."* He said at the time. Now it is one of the most recognizable logos in the world. It has been 'jammed' so many times that it not only represents sporting achievement but it also conjured up images of sweatshops and corporate greed.

* Quote from www.nike.com

The Nike Swoosh is one of the most recognizable symbols in America and probably the world. It conveys a message to the viewer that says "Just Do It"

I'm not much on ascii-art but I'll give it a try anyway:

          #
        ##                                      ###########
      ####                              #############
     #####                        #############
    #######                 #############
    #########          ###############
     ###########################
      #######################
        #################
          ############

I know that's kind of crude, so if you have a better one, msg me and I'll put it here giving you credit.

The Swoosh, sometimes called The "Swish" was originally designed by Carolyn Davidson in 1971 and bought by Phil Knight of Blue Ribbon Sports for $35.00.

Since Blue Ribbon changed its name, and enjoyed unbelievable success, she has been much more richly compensated, and rewarded a gold ring decorated with the swish, centered around a large diamond.

A more fanciful story of the origin, is that the swish design is modeled after the headless and armless statue of Nike at Samothrace. The swoosh is supposed to be representing the motion of the wing.