Today marks a remarkable milestone as Disney Studios celebrates 65 years since the release of the beloved classic, One Hundred and One Dalmatians. This animated masterpiece is based on a novel of the same name, published just five years prior. The enchanting tale follows a pair of Dalmatians living in London who welcome a delightful litter of 15 puppies. However, their joy is threatened by the infamous Cruella de Vil, an eccentric socialite with a sinister desire to make a fur coat from their pelts. The film proved to be a tremendous success at the box office and is often hailed as one of Disney’s finest achievements since Snow White.
While it may not have reached the iconic status of some other Disney classics, when adjusted for inflation, One Hundred and One Dalmatians ranks as the twelfth-highest-grossing film in North American box office history. It also holds the impressive title of being the second-highest-grossing animated film globally and the highest-selling traditionally animated film of all time, with an astounding 199.8 million tickets sold.
The film’s phenomenal success inspired Disney to expand its universe into a broader media franchise. In 1996, a live-action remake was released, followed by a sequel in 2000. The animated sequel, 101 Dalmatians II: Patch’s London Adventure, delighted fans in 2003. The franchise continued to flourish with two animated television series: 101 Dalmatians: The Series in 1997 and 101 Dalmatian Street in 2019. Most recently, a live-action reboot titled Cruella, featuring Emma Stone, premiered in 2021, further enriching the legacy of this cherished story.
In addition to celebrating this cinematic gem, we also reflect on another inspiring moment from history. Exactly 62 years ago, Blue Ribbon Sports was founded in Oregon. This company would later evolve into the global giant known as Nike. With annual revenues exceeding $46 billion, Nike has become the world’s leading supplier of athletic shoes and apparel, taking its name from the Greek goddess of victory.
Blue Ribbon Sports initially began by selling shoes produced by Onitsuka Tiger in Japan, with many pairs sold from the trunk of co-founder Phil Knight’s car, who was also a University of Oregon track athlete. His coach, Bill Bowerman, innovatively used a waffle iron to create a new sole design that would enhance grip while being lightweight, ultimately resulting in the iconic “Moon Shoe” introduced in 1972. This design evolved into the “Waffle Trainer” in 1974, contributing to the rapid growth of the brand.
As part of its branding journey, a runner helped to craft the name Nike, and the famous “Swoosh” logo made its debut on June 18, 1971, with a trademark registered in 1974. A significant milestone was achieved in 1979 when Nike created its first professional sporting product: the kits for the Portland Timbers Major League Soccer club.
Finally, we remember that 141 years ago, one of Japan’s most influential modern poets, known by the pen name Hakushu Kitahara, was born, leaving behind a legacy of over 200 published books filled with captivating children’s stories.
