Nike’s Innovation Kitchen is named in homage to Bill’s original laboratory, and is laid out so that the designers, engineers and developers can see each other’s desks and throw random ideas or thoughts in on each other’s work in much the same way that Bowerman would be hit by inspiration.
The studio’s Director of Athlete Innovations, Tobie Hatfield, talks of how his first lesson in innovation and listening to athletes was when Bowerman x-rayed his feet as a student pole vaulter and hurdler at South Eugene High. A few weeks later, Hatfield was presented with a custom track spike with re-drilled spike holes strategically placed to match his bone structure.
