All you need to know about Tinker Hatfield

Tinker Hatfield Jr., an American shoe designer, is known for his innovative designs of Nike athletic shoes. He oversees Nike’s “Innovation Kitchen” and is considered a legend of design. Hatfield’s most famous contribution to Nike was the Air Jordan line, which included various models from the Air Jordan 3 to XV.

Who is Tinker Hatfield?

Linn Hatfield Jr., born on April 30, 1952, is an American designer of numerous Nike athletic shoe models, including the Air Jordan 3 through Air Jordan 15, the twentieth-anniversary Air Jordan XX, the Air Jordan XXIII, the 2010 (XXV), the 2015 Air Jordan XX9 (XXIX), and other athletic sneakers. Hatfield oversees Nike’s “Innovation Kitchen” and is considered a legend of design for his many innovative designs over more than three decades.

Hatfield studied architecture at the University of Oregon and continued his track and field career under the coaching of Bill Bowerman, co-founder of Nike. He set the university record in the pole vault and placed sixth in that event at the 1976 Olympic trials. After graduating from college, Hatfield practiced as an architect in Eugene until joining Nike in 1981.

Hatfield began working on shoe design in 1985, realizing that his architectural skills could be applied to shoes. He designed the cross-trainer as a “multi-sport” shoe when he realized people at his Oregon gym brought various sneakers with them for diverse activities such as basketball, aerobics, weightlifting, and jogging.

Hatfield also created the graphic design for the basketball court at the Matthew Knight Arena at the University of Oregon, which opened in 2011. In 2013, Hatfield worked on both Nike and Jordan brand concept car designs for Gran Turismo 6. In 2014, Hatfield indicated that Nike would unveil a shoe with power-lacing technology, as worn by Marty McFly in the 1989 film Back to the Future Part II.

In 2019, Hatfield received his sneaker, titled the Nike React “Tinker Hatfield,” which was first presented to the public by him at SXSW.

 Tinker Hatfield Age

He is currently 71 years old.

Tinker Hatfield Net Worth

He is estimated to be worth $25 Million.

 Tinker Hatfield Career

Tinker Hatfield, a renowned shoe designer, joined Nike in 1981 as a retail designer. His first big shoe design was the Air Max 1, introduced in 1987, featuring a nylon and synthetic felt upper and a translucent bubble under the heel. The series continued with the Air Max Light, Air Max III, Air Max 180, and Air Max 93. Hatfield’s most famous contribution to Nike was the Air Jordan line, which included the Air Jordans III through XV, XX, XXIII, XXV, XX8, XX9, and XXX.

Hatfield’s first design, the Air Jordan III, debuted the iconic Jumpman logo in 1988. The Air Jordan IV was the first in the series to be released on a global scale, featuring Michael Jordan wearing the sneaker during the 1989 NBA playoffs. The Air Jordan V in 1990 featured a bright tongue, translucent rubber soles, and lace locks.

Hatfield developed the Air Jordan XV in 1999, inspired by the aircraft prototype X-15 and featuring woven Kevlar fiber sides. He later worked on the Air Jordans XXV, XX8, XX9, and XXX, with the most recent debut in early 2016.

Hatfield’s contributions to the Air Jordan line have been immeasurable, with Phil Knight, Nike’s co-founder and former CEO, believing his Air Jordan III saved the firm from Michael Jordan leaving and signing with Adidas in the late 1980s. He also created the Nike Air MAG for the 1989 science-fiction film sequel “Back to the Future Part II” and the bat boots worn by Michael Keaton in the superhero blockbusters “Batman” and “Batman Returns.”

 

Source: DKlassgh.net