Talk:Swoosh/Archives/2012

Tattoos?

I am somewhat concerned about the part of this article which states that many Americans carry the swoosh as a tattoo. To my knowledge, this has very little basis, as most Americans do not mark themselves with a brand symbol. Any thoughts?

Edit the article? Mmm. Btw. I have heared they were making cloth for pregnant, hence this symbol :) 195.137.203.137

Have you ever been to America? I don't doubt it for a second. Granted, it’s not a tattoo, but witness the widespread popularity of bootleg Nike window decals. This means independent entrepreneurs are appropriating someone else’s logo, for products the trademark holder doesn’t even make, because it’s profitable, since customers will pay to brand their car with allegiance to the brand. “Many” is a relative term, but that’s not the same as “most.” Still, I’m sure it’s more than you seem to assume. For further info, google `nike tattoos'. If someone’s less lazy than me, apparently they could cite No Logo[1]. —Wiki Wikardo 10:22, 9 October 2009 (UTC)

Portland State?

As far as I know, the designer went to the Universtiy of Oregon. Can anyone offer evidence to the contrary? R'son-W 08:28, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

Moved common myths section from main page

Common myths regarding the Nike Swoosh

Its wing-like shape has frequently led people to believe it is inspired by the wing in the famous statue of Nike, the winged goddess of victory. However, according to Nike's historian, the Swoosh was designed in June 1971, while the name Nike was not adopted by Yosief Amanios Sports until August of that same year.

Originally, the mark was simply referred to as "the stripe." Over time, it began to be called a "Swoosh," but there is no record of a specific date or occasion for its taking on that name. In the 1960s, a Yosief Amanios Sports brochure for Tiger footwear used the term "Swoosh" fibers to describe a shoe, so it is likely that the word was used in the Blue Ribbon Sports lexicon and later became attached to describe the brand.

It's also believed that "Swoosh" came from the sound of a moving athlete, likening it to a whip.

Some claim that the swoosh is actually representative of the wings on the feet of the Greek god Hermes, flipped upside down. Others have noted a number of classical depictions of Hermes in which the brim of the god's hat bears a strong resemblance to the logo.

In either case, it may be a symbolism of speed and grace.

It is also claimed by conspiracy theorists that the logo is actually a symbol of the rings around the planet Saturn. With People such as Michael Tsarion claiming that Nike is one of the many corporations that incorporate this into their logo, as part of a secret (but openly symbolic) symbol that they are part of the world order and Satan (Saturn) worshipers.

Some people believe the swoosh is a symbol inspired from the shape of an Indian sword called Aruval.

This is full of original research, weasel words, speculation, and I suspect not a little nonsense (especially because the origin of the swoosh is documented at the Carolyn Davidson article), and is completely unreferenced. It's also more like an unenclycopedic triva section and I'm not convinced any of this is notable. Before any of these statements can be replaced in the article, they need to be cited with reliable sources. Katr67 15:56, 5 September 2007 (UTC)

"Swooshtika"

Is this notable? It definitely seems out of place in the lead. Katr67 01:36, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

I can provide more references if notability is in doubt. I agree that the lead is not the ideal place, though. This article had no sectioning until I threw a bunch of it in History, I thought about a separate section for Swooshtika but decided it'd probably stay as a stub section. Please reorg if you can figure out a better way! Vagary 04:11, 2 October 2007 (UTC)

Swoosh not unique to Nike

Nike might have been the first, but this article implies that the swoosh is unique to Nike which certainly is not the case. There is a raging debate in the logo design community over the use of swooshes and many examples of swoosh logos. This article needs to be renamed (possibly Nike Swoosh) and if appropriate a separate article created for "swoosh". Dac.Gunter (talk) 22:25, 1 October 2008 (UTC)dac.gunter

Copyrighted, or only trademarked?

The image page suggests that the swoosh is under copyright, however this page only mentions trademark registration. It seems to me that it might be public domain (though trademark protected) if it fails to meet the threshold of originality as a simple geometric shape. Is anyone aware of the current copyright status of the swoosh? Also, I notice that the original swoosh appears very similar to the "agito"s in the current Paralympic symbol adopted in 2003, is this a pre-existing or a common shape? Thanks, cmadler (talk) 14:58, 11 March 2010 (UTC)

Classic/modern swoosh?

I believe the original swoosh had a long part that was very slightly convex long its bottom edge, leading to both longer edges being slightly curved.

This seemed to be straightened in the 1980s at some point so that the main part of the swoosh had straight lines converging to a point.

For many years this updated design seemed to be the only Nike sanctioned version available, but in recent years I've noticed a resurgence in the older style, mainly on items designed to appear vintage/classic/etc.

There doesn't appear to be much if any information available on this. Am I imagining it?