The Nike TN made its official debut in 1998, a time when the Swoosh brand was already riding a wave of success with the release of iconic silhouettes like the Nike Air Tailwind which first released in 1978. Sean McDowell, the creator of the Nike TN, came up with the idea for the design during a vacation in Florida. Inspired by the rhythmic sway of palm trees beneath a sunset on the beachfront, he envisioned the beginnings of what would become of the Nike TN. The design has become iconic, partly due to its layered TPU cage, inspired by the famous palm trees. Its appeal is also rooted in its original colourway, which combines maritime and exotic tones, along with the advanced Nike Air cushioning system. This system, known as Tuned Air, gave rise to the nickname Nike "TN," which has been associated with the model since its inception.