M. Frank Rudy
American inventor and engineer
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Marion Frank Rudy (24 January 1925 – 13 December 2009) was an American aeronautical engineer and inventor, most known for patenting what would become the Nike Air Sole.
January 24, 1925
M. Frank Rudy | |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| Engineering career | |
| Employer | Nike, Inc. |
| Significant design | Inventor of Nike Air Sole |
Early life and education
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
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
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
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]
