Back to the Future Day may not have yielded flying cars, hoverboards or drone dog walkers, but shoemaker Nike has delivered Michael J Fox his very own pair of genuine power-lacing trainers to commemorate Wednesday’s global celebration.
This is real. This is today. Coming spring 2016. cc: @RealMikeFox @Nike pic.twitter.com/KPswXNojvA
— michaeljfox.org (@MichaelJFoxOrg) October 21, 2015
Fox’s charity foundation posted a photograph on Twitter of the actor wearing the silver-grey sneakers, which appear virtually identical to the futuristic footwear he sported in Robert Zemeckis’ 1989 film, on Twitter. The MAG shoes will go on sale via auction in spring 2016 to aid the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, according to Nike.
The sportswear firm confirmed in January that it was working on the power-lacing technology, which follows Toyota’s efforts to deliver a car that runs on rubbish – again mimicking science first predicted in 1989. In a letter to Fox, shoe designer Tinker Hatfield wrote: “Although the project started as science fiction, we’re now proud to turn that fiction into fact ... We wanted you to be the first to receive a living pair. If my calculations are correct, your pair should be with you shortly.”
The letter I received from Tinker today. Thanks @Nike pic.twitter.com/UIolXrkUVC
— Michael J. Fox (@realmikefox) October 21, 2015
Wednesday’s Back to the Future Day celebrated the point in time to which Fox’s character Marty McFly arrives – 21 October 2015 – in Back to the Future 2. Though other mooted technologies such as instant pizza, life-extending rejuvenation clinics and self-drying jackets have also inexplicably failed to manifest in time for the real 2015, seriously hardcore fans can purchase bottles of the futuristic beverage Pepsi Perfect – as seen in Zemeckis’ film – for $20.15 from the drinks manufacturer’s website.
