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M. Frank Rudy

American inventor and engineer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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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.

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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]

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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]

References

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