What was the first innovative product that excited you?

For me, it might have been the Reebok Pump...

As a kid, I LOVED basketball and I was obsessed with all things Michael Jordan. I wanted to "Be Like Mike" and I did everything I could to be like him, even drink his favorite flavor of Gatorade (which we will discuss in greater detail in our Innovations I course).

Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins had some pretty epic battles on the court in and the annual Dunk contest (which is referenced in the video above). My neighbor and good friend was a 'Nique fan, which only made the rivalry more intense in my young mind. So how could I be drawn to my rival's shoe!?!? Revolutionary innovation.

Reebok Pumps were first introduced in 1989 and were the first athletic shoes to incorporate an internal inflation mechanism that allowed the wearer to adjust the fit of the shoe to their personal preference.

This inflation system, known as "The Pump," consisted of a small inflatable chamber located in the tongue of the shoe, which could be inflated or deflated using a small hand-held pump. This allowed the wearer to customize the fit of the shoe to their individual foot shape, resulting in a more comfortable and secure fit. The idea of having a custom-fit shoe was awesome!

Reebok Pumps were marketed as high-performance athletic shoes, but also became a cultural phenomenon and fashion statement, worn by both athletes and non-athletes alike. They were even prominently featured in popular culture, including in movies and music videos, and were seen as a symbol of style and individuality.

Reebok Pumps were a breakthrough innovation in the world of athletic footwear, introducing a new level of customization and comfort to the market, while also capturing the attention and imagination of consumers worldwide, including mine. However, as time passed, the popularity of the shoe declined, and Reebok eventually stopped producing them in the early 2000s.

I remember buying my first (and only) pair of Pumps while my family was in California in 1992. I was so excited to have the shoes that, even as a Chicago Bulls fan, I didn't mind that they were white, purple, and had yellow accents (the LA Lakers colors), I was just thrilled to have cool shoes. Sadly, they didn't make me run faster or jump higher, in fact, they might have been the heaviest pair of shoes that I have ever owned.

All of that said, I think Reebok Pumps were the first innovative product that truly grabbed my attention.