Olivier Bernhard recalls Puma being the only major athletic brand willing to meet and evaluate their prototype running shoes.
Assertion Contradicted
On was likely the first running shoe to embed a rigid plate
“We were probably the first brand using plate, a plate in the shoe, we call it speed board.”
Disclosure
On only pursues product concepts considered impossible to build
“I think it's so deeply ingrained nowadays in the company that we only approach things that are impossible. If people are coming back, you know, after initial idea or vision, and people come back and say, oh, yeah, we can do it. I said, then we don't do it. Lea…”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Bernhard's garden hose prototype cured his chronic Achilles issues in six weeks
“Again, I have had my Achilles issues for maybe three, three and a half years to at the end of my career. And I've seen so many doctors and specialists and nothing really helped. And within six weeks walking and running in the garden hose shoes, since today, th…”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Nike refused to look at sponsored athlete Bernhard's shoe prototype
“I was an athlete, right, running for their company, becoming world champion, they didn't even want to look at the technology, not even at the drawing.”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
Bernhard pitched On's early prototype to Nike, Puma, Adidas, New Balance
“We pitched it to Nike, Puma, Adidas New Balance.”
Assertion Not checkable as stated
On produced its first 8,000 to 10,000 shoes in South Korea
“I think it was like 10,000 or 8000 shoes we produced in Busan in South Korea.”