In the sequel to the classic film “Back to the Future”, Marty McFly (played by actor Michael J. Fox) and Doc Brown (Christopher Lloyd) travel from their 1989 world into the world of the future — October 21, 2015, to be exact.
Some of the movie’s predictions, like McFly’s legendary hoverboard, have yet to be realized. Others — like virtual reality- equipped glasses and news drones — were right on point.
Today, Nike turned one more prediction into reality: self-lacing shoes.
The shoe giant hinted at the move last night by tweeting a short, cryptic message to actor Michael J. Fox.
Needless to say, the tweet had sneaker-heads buzzing all over the internet.
.@realmikefox see you tomorrow.
— Nike (@Nike) October 21, 2015
Nike has teased the public with the Air Mags before. In 2011, they released just over 1,500 pairs of the film-inspired sneakers. Those pairs were only prototypes, however, and lacked the power-lacing mechanism that made McFly’s shoes so cool in the first place.
It wasn’t for a lack of effort on the part of Nike, however. A year earlier, in 2010, the company had applied for a patent on its power-lacing technology. Unfortunately for them, it wasn’t until last summer that the US Patent Office got around to approving it.
After the patent was granted, Nike designer Tinker Hatfield — who designed the original shoe for the movie and who has worked on many of the most popular Jordans — confirmed that the Air Mag would be released some time in 2015.
This morning, Michael J. Fox posted the following tweet — a letter from Tinker himself:
The letter I received from Tinker today. Thanks @Nike pic.twitter.com/UIolXrkUVC
— Michael J. Fox (@realmikefox) October 21, 2015
Shortly afterwards, the official Twitter account of Fox’s Foundation for Parkinson’s Research dropped this tweet:
This is real. This is today. Coming spring 2016. cc: @RealMikeFox @Nike pic.twitter.com/KPswXNojvA
— michaeljfox.org (@MichaelJFoxOrg) October 21, 2015
Long story short, it looks like Nike’s self-lacing sneakers have finally become a reality. And if all goes well, you can get your hands on some in the spring.
Read more from Gizmodo.
BONUS: You can read Tinker’s letter to Fox in its entirety below:
Hey Michael,
Almost thirty years ago we embarked on a journey to create a glimpse into “the future.”
Although the project started as science fiction, we’re now proud to turn that fiction into fact.
As the first, most celebrated wearer of the Nike Air Mag we wanted you to be the first to receive a living pair. “I meant Nike Mag” (I must have “Air” on the brain)!
What is so special about the Nike Air Mag is it’s [sic] impact continues to resonate. We may never know it’s [sic] final legacy, but we continue to work on projects that carry and progress some of its principles.
As you well know innovation never stops at Nike so we’re excited about what lies ahead for this idea. We know if you put your mind to it you can accomplish anything.
In addition to your personal pair, we’re creating more pairs for support in aid of the Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2016.
We hope that the combined effort will raise even more than the $9.4 million collected in 2011 and contribute in some way to eliminating Parkinson’s Disease in our lifetime!
Your friend,
Tinker
P.S [sic] If my calculations are correct…your pair should be with you shortly.