Before 1972, New Balance was a small Boston-based company founded by Irish immigrant William Riley producing arch supports/insoles. In the 1930s, the company expanded into orthopedic baseball and track footwear. In 1960, they had their first breakout hit: the Trackster, a ripple-soled running shoe used by colleges and high schools around the country. This and other NB footwear could primarily be mail-ordered through a few retailers, but remained a niche brand, As such, they did not have a logo yet,
In 1972, 28-year-old Jim Davis discovered New Balance, and decided to buy it up to cash in on the decade's jogging boom, rebuilding it into a full-fledged brand of athletic shoes. With this change in ownership, the "Flying NB" symbol featuring twelve speed marks would be introduced. Four years later, the block N started appearing on the sides of shoes, starting with the 320 jogging shoe. The company would expand into sportswear and clothing a few years later.
2006–2008[]
In 2006, the speed marks were reduced to seven.
2008–present[]
In 2008, the speed marks were reduced once again to only four, to increase visibility in smaller applications.
