8 of 11
BACKNEXT
2000: Shox
2000: Shox
Nike spent 16 years developing the technology for its Shox sneakers, which sit on cushioned rubber columns. While the high price point ($150) and futuristic style initially turned off customers at a time when cheaper, vintage-looking sneakers were coming into vogue, Shox eventually became a mainstay. In 2005, it was a key driver behind the company's 11% increase in footwear revenues. Nike recently sued Wal-Mart, accusing the big-box retailer of selling an illegal knockoff.

NEXT: 2003: Converse Chuck Taylor All Star
Last updated March 17 2009: 10:25 AM ET
More Galleries
5 biggest share buybacks of 2014 Stock repurchases are booming. These five companies are ready to spend over $79 billion on buybacks. More
10 horrifying corporate mascots McDonald's Happy is part of a long lineage of creatures great and small that shill for products and mortify consumers. Mr. Mucus, anyone? More
5 best cities to launch a career The top spots in the U.S. for new grads to land a job -- and actually enjoy life -- according to financial site WalletHub. More

Most stock quote data provided by BATS. Market indices are shown in real time, except for the DJIA, which is delayed by two minutes. All times are ET. Disclaimer. Morningstar: © 2018 Morningstar, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Factset: FactSet Research Systems Inc. 2018. All rights reserved. Chicago Mercantile Association: Certain market data is the property of Chicago Mercantile Exchange Inc. and its licensors. All rights reserved. Dow Jones: The Dow Jones branded indices are proprietary to and are calculated, distributed and marketed by DJI Opco, a subsidiary of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC and have been licensed for use to S&P Opco, LLC and CNN. Standard & Poor's and S&P are registered trademarks of Standard & Poor's Financial Services LLC and Dow Jones is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC. All content of the Dow Jones branded indices © S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC 2018 and/or its affiliates.