M. Frank Rudy
M. Frank Ruby | |
|---|---|
| Born | Marion Frank Rudy January 24, 1925 Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | December 13, 2009 (aged 84) Calabasas, California, U.S. |
| Resting place | San Fernando Mission Cemetery |
| Education | Case Western Reserve University |
| Occupation | Engineer |
| Engineering career | |
| Employer(s) | Nike, Inc. |
| Significant design | Inventor of Nike Air Sole |
Marion Frank Rudy (24 January 1925 – 13 December 2009) was the an American aeronautical engineer and inventor, most known for patenting what would become the Nike Air Sole.
Early life and education
[edit]Rudy was born in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Fairview Park, Ohio.
He was a graduate of Fairview High School and Case Western Reserve University's class of 1950, majoring in mechanical and aeronautical engineering. He was also a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity.[1]
Career
[edit]Rudy's first job after graduation was with NASA, where he worked on projects for the Saturn and Apollo rocket engines.
With a slow down in the space industry in 1969, Ruby, an avid skier, took a job at Nike Inc. in Oregon. In 1977, Rudy designed a cushioning system based on an inert gas encapsulated in polyurethane plastic. The first shoe to implement the technology would be the Nike Air Tailwind in 1978.[2][3] The design was ultimately trademarked by Nike as the "Air" sole.
Throughout his career, Rudy ultimately held more than 250 patents.[4]
Death
[edit]Rudy died in his home in California on December 13, 2009. He was 84 years old.[5] Rudy is buried in San Fernando Mission Cemetery.
Legacy
[edit]The 19 varsity athletic teams at his alma mater, Case Western Reserve Spartans, wear a special patch on their uniforms commemorating him and his invention. The emblem has Rudy's initials, MFR, with a 3D design of special texture and shine to resemble inflated air sole look, and has orbiting planets pay tribute to his career as an aerospace engineer.[6]
References
[edit]- ^ "Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity - Homepage". Phi Kappa Tau. Archived from the original on 2016-03-03. Retrieved 2010-01-01.
- ^ Beaven, Steve (December 24, 2009). "Frank Rudy, the inventor of the Nike Air Sole technology, has died". Oregon Live. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ Cavanaugh, Catherine (November 17, 2017). "Expansion set in Missouri to keep up with Nike Air demand". Plastics News. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
- ^ https://thedaily.case.edu/1-9-million-gift-establishes-rudy-athletic-endowment-case-western-reserve-university/
- ^ oregonlive.com. Accessed 2009-12-26.
- ^ "Nike and Case Western Reserve University team up on new athletic uniforms that honor alumnus and Nike Air Sole inventor". 4 September 2014.
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