Philip H. Knight was an accounting student and middle-distance runner at the University of Oregon when he was seized with the idea of importing high-tech running shoes from Japan. It was not easy to persuade others that this was a promising business opportunity, but Knight took the idea to his track coach, Bill Bowerman. The two of them shook hands and agreed to start a small import business. At first, Knight sold the shoes out of the trunk of his car at high school track meets. From...