Air Max Scorpion ‘Frank Rudy’

Thanks to great storytelling from Nike, we are aware of some of the legends behind the brand’s early found success. One of the men responsible for the Swoosh’s triumph is Marion “Frank” Rudy, an aeronautical engineer who patented the cushioning system based on encapsulated gas, or as we know it, Nike Air. Celebrating his achievements is this pair of Air Max Scorpion, one of a few Air Max silhouettes chosen as part of a dedicated M. Frank Rudy pack.

The Scorpion’s chenille upper is draped in a blue, similar to the shade found on the barometer hang tag that comes attached to the shoe. It’s also a possible nod to Rudy’s former role within NASA, adopting the space-blue that decorates the iconic insignia. The dotted branding on the tongue and heel are present in an orange, resembling the blinking lights that would constantly flicker on the surface of wall-to-wall mega computers from the ’70s. The insole features a schematic grid, an important part of Rudy’s daily life as an engineer. The stacked sole unit is covered in a blend of orange and red, drawing your attention to the progressive peak of Air technology as it stands today.