On board as a Blue Ribbon technical advisor, Bowerman built a prototype of a new runner from the best bits of two existing Tiger models. Haphazardly held together with horse pins, Onitsuka Tiger still thought this hybrid creation was a ‘splendid idea’ and quickly set about putting it into production.

All it needed was a catchy name. Originally annointed ‘Aztec’ in honour of the Olympic host city, adidas spoiled the ceremony by releasing the Azteca Gold. Threatened with legal action, the name was changed at the last minute to Cortez, or as Bowerman put it, ‘That Spaniard who kicked the shit out of the Aztecs!’.

An instant hit, the Cortez was years ahead of the competition. Generously loaded with shock absorbent cushioning along the full length of the footbed, the Cortez also had an extra splice in the heel offering more bounce for the ounce.