A YouTube user by the name of DocEmmettBrown88 released a teaser video titled McFly's Closet showing countless shelves of what are believed to be 2011 Nike Air Mag shoes. Normally something like this could be written off as an elaborate hoax, but evidence from Nike and Back to the Future executive producer Frank Marshall indicates something big is brewing.
The YouTube video was posted yesterday just as several sneaker blogs and publishers received an invitation from Nike to fly to Los Angeles for a "big announcement." Upon arrival, Nice Kicks blogger Matt Halfhill received a package containing, among other things, an iPod Shuffle with a personal message from Dr. Emmett Brown:
"Welcome to Los Angeles. If my calculations are correct, over the next 24 hours you are about to see some SERIOUS SH*T!"
In addition to the audio message, the package contained a variety of 80s-centric candy and soda, a copy of Back to The Future, metal shield glasses and an invitation to an unveiling that could "change the course of time."
Sneaker aficionados have been anticipating this date for over two years, as it was revealed via patent submission that Nike was working on a shoe with an automatic lacing system. Below is an abstract from the patent filing.
"The automatic lacing system provides a set of straps that can be automatically opened and closed to switch between a loosened and tightened position of the upper. The article further includes an automatic ankle cinching system that is configured to automatically adjust an ankle portion of the upper."
Reading directly into the patent, it sounds as if only the upper ankle support features the automatic lacing system as there is no mention about the lower laces.
The private reception is happening today at 8pm pacific time so we won't know more until then. Now we just need real-life hoverboards and flying cars before 2015 for an accurate portrayal of the future!