Sneakernomics

Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.

Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.

The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.

Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.

Rob . . . . . Wilf Scolding

Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa

Special thanks: Peter Moore, Julie Dixon, Nelson Farris, Sonny and Pam Vaccaro, Paul Litchfield, Anna Bryher, Rob Harrison, Mimmy Kowell, Matt Powell, Sebastien Kopp, Angel Martinez, Bob Woodell, Sigi Dassler, Michael Dassler, John Boulter, Joe Foster, Joe Franklin, Gary Aspden, Clare Ewing, Adam Gibbons and Simon Ward.

First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.

Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.

The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.

Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.

Rob . . . . . Wilf Scolding

Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa

Special thanks: Julie Dixon, Sonny and Pam Vaccaro, John Boulter, Joe Foster, Angel Martinez, Professor Akilah Carter-Francique, Jeff Johnson, Bob Woodell, Nelson Farris, Peter Moore, Dr Todd Boyd, Paul Litchfield, Victoria Purcell, Michelle Apodaca, Clare Ewing and Jamie Larsen.

First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.

Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.

The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.

Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.

Ron . . . . . Ed Gaughan

Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa

Special thanks: Russ Gater, Jeff Johnson, John Boulter, Mike Deegan, Gary Aspden, Neal Heard, Julie Dixon, Peter Moore, Nelson Farris, Joan Benoit Samuelson, Gina Millson, Clare Ewing and Jamie Larsen.

First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.

Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.

The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.

Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.

Horst . . . . . Mark Edel-Hunt

Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa

Special thanks: Michael Dassler, Sigi Dassler, John Boulter, Patrick Nally, Sonny and Pam Vaccaro, Julie Dixon, Angelo Anastasio and Andrew Jennings.

First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.

Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.

The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.

Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.

Paul . . . . . Gunnar Cauthery

Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa

Special thanks: Walt Frazier, Art Simburg, Tony Alva, Steve Van Doren, Jeff Johnson, Julie Dixon, Bob Woodell, Peter Moore, Russ Gater, Cindy Yoshimura, Patricia James, Clare Ewing and Jamie Larsen.

First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.

Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.

The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.

Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.

Bud . . . . . Joe Sims

Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa

Special thanks: Art Simburg, David Jones, Sigi Dassler, Professor Akilah Carter-Francique, Dr Todd Boyd, Michael Dassler, John Boulter, Patrick Nally, Michael McKnight, Helmut Fischer, Harry Blutstein, Professor Kevin Hylton and Kerstin Neuber.

First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.

Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.

The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.

Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.

Bill . . . . . Nathan Osgood

Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa

Special thanks: Jeff Johnson, Bob Woodell, Angel Martinez, Julie Dixon, Nelson Farris, Peter Moore, Jamie Larsen, Clare Ewing and Jeffrey Johnston.

First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers.

We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.

Across nine episodes, Sneakernomics tells the extraordinary origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands, and how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture redefined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story – how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story – how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s a story of invention – how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.

The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be number one tore families and friendships apart and divided towns. Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.

Written and presented by Nicholas Smith, with 1Xtra presenter Ace. The drama is written by Al Smith.

Sepp . . . . . Roger Ringrose

Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa

Special thanks: Joe Foster, Sigi Dassler, Michael Dassler, Abe Aamidor, Charles Slack, Angelo Anastasio, Patrick Nally, John Boulter, David Jones, Michael McKnight, Helmut Fischer, Kerstin Neuber and Victoria Purcell.

First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

Trainers? Sneakers? Whatever you call them - they are amongst the most iconic cultural objects of our time.

But their evolution is a story rarely told until now.

Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries, artisans and journeymen who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.

It’s 100 years since salesman Chuck Taylor joined Converse and the Chuck Taylor All-Star was born, perhaps the most iconic trainer of all time. Across 9 episodes, we trace the extraordinary transformation that has happened since.

Sneakernomics tells the origin story of some of the world’s biggest brands and of how sponsorship deals and celebrity culture re-defined our relationship with products. It’s also a business story; of how leisure has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry; a sports story - of how games became organised and grew into a global spectacle; and it’s also a story of invention - of how enthusiastic hobbyist-pioneers often took extraordinary risks that changed the course of sport and fashion.

The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be No. 1 tore families and friendships apart, divided towns, and sometimes even distorted sporting ideals.

Above all, this is the story of the people behind the shoes. What you’ll hear is a mix of interviews with many of the key individuals who’ve played their part in that extraordinary story, interlaced with moments of fiction inspired by their testimonies and our research.

Presented by Nicholas Smith, (author of Kicks: The Great American Story of Sneakers) and 1xtra presenter Ace, with drama written by multi award-winning playwright and screenwriter Al Smith.

Adi . . . . . Gunnar Cauthery

Production Trainee: Marithe Van Der Aa

Special thanks: Mike Holt, Angelo Anastasio, Dr Todd Boyd, Michael Dassler, Sigi Dassler, David Jones, Joe Foster, Professor Akilah Carter-Francique, the Adi & Käthe Dassler Memorial Foundation, Helmut Fischer, Kerstin Neuber and Victoria Purcell.

First heard on BBC Sounds in 2021.

Trainers? Sneakers? Whatever you call them - they are amongst the most iconic cultural objects of our time. But their evolution is a story rarely told until now.

Sneakernomics is a close encounter with the visionaries who’ve made, and been made, by trainers. We’ll follow in the footsteps of mavericks, hustlers and dreamers, and hear their tales of boom and bust, fame and infamy, hope and heartbreak.

It’s 100 years since salesman Chuck Taylor joined Converse and the Chuck Taylor All-Star was born, perhaps the most iconic trainer of all time. Across nine episodes, we trace the extraordinary transformation that has happened since, telling the origin stories of some of the world’s biggest brands and how leisure evolved into a multi-billion-dollar industry.

The sneaker story is characterised by fierce competition and rivalry. We explore how the quest to be No. 1 tore families and friendships apart, divided towns, and sometimes even distorted sporting ideals.

Presented by Nicholas Smith, (author of Kicks: The Great American Story of Sneakers) and 1Xtra presenter Ace, with drama written by multi award-winning playwright and screenwriter Al Smith.