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- New innovations in sneaker technology are unveiled each and every year.
- Business Insider teamed up with Highsnobiety footwear editor Chris Danforth to take a look at some of the most innovative sneakers throughout history.
- These landmark sneakers range from advancements in cushioning and sole technology to experimenting with computerized parts.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
One of the world's most innovative sneakers was invented with a waffle iron in the early 1970s; today, companies are experimenting with futuristic auto-lacing and 4D technologies.
According to Highsnobiety footwear editor Chris Danforth, some of the most innovative sneakers in history came from today's leading sportswear brands: Nike, Adidas, Reebok, and Asics.
"Going back to the 1900s, Converse and PF Flyers innovated with these vulcanized rubber soles, so that was a big one," Danforth told Business Insider. "But obviously, some of the biggest touchpoints for sneaker innovation are later with Nike."
While not all of these individual sneakers have stood the test of time, many - like Nike Air and Adidas Boost - have gone on to become some of the most successful sneaker lines in brand history.
The sneaker innovations Danforth highlighted are spread out over nearly fifty years of sneaker design. They also include a variety of innovation types, from advancements in cushioning and sole technology to experimenting with computerized parts. Several include production stories that have become a part of brand folklore, such as Nike cofounder Bill Bowerman using a waffle iron to create his infamous sole pattern.
Keep reading for a look at some of the most innovative sneakers in history.