Errolson’s experiences and style from ACRONYM gave ACG a significant boost with a young, modern, street- and techwear-obsessed culture,” says Gimbel, noting how a number of his friends were brought into the ACG fold following Hugh's reorientation of the line toward modern techwear. Re-introduced to the market in 2019 with an aesthetic that undoubtedly honours the brand’s early ‘90s origins, Nike ACG continues to inspire with their revised hiking apparel and technical accessories. Durable fabrics and multi-use stylings combine to deliver a modern take on mountaineering tradition, whilst inspiration for seasonal collections is continually sourced from many different environments, wildernesses and locales. Led by their ‘designed, tested and made on planet Earth for outdoor use’ ethos, Nike ACG is a brand that continues to honour their referential ‘All Conditions Gear’ namesake. Telescopes in the observatory include an Astro-Physics 180-mm (7-inch) f/9 APO refractor, a Celestron C-11 f/10 Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope (SCT), and a Meade 14-inch f/10 SCT (in the RATO). The Analemma Society also plans to replace an existing 8-inch reflector with a 16-inch Meade Newtonian. The Jamestown commemorative sundial was installed in Observatory Park at Turner Farm in 2007. The draw opens on Monday 20th December 2021 at 12:00PM (GMT) and closes on Tuesday 21st December 2021 at 12:00PM (GMT). You can enter the draw here. By 1999, Nike’s trail designs were in vogue (literally in Vogue when they ran a lengthy feature on the Terra Humara) and these no-nonsense performance pieces were being twinned with Maharishi trousers on bleary-eyed B-listers clumsily exiting the Met Bar. Fittingly, the shoe that spawned this entire Nike genre was reissued that year and given a slight upgrade with the addition of air and an upgraded sole pattern. That the shoe was already at drinking age by that point is remarkable — even alongside brand-new designs, Lava Dome still looked relevant. Not even the patronage of Jamie Oliver at his laddish apex could sully it.

One thing that’s interesting to note, is that many of the original designs have aged particularly well. Shoes such as the Lava Dome and the Wildwood still look as fresh today as they did when they first launched. Colours, branding, materials, marketing… Everything was on-point. The Nike Lava Dome remains something of a fan favourite. Preempting a time of ostentatious technologies, this low cut, rugged running shoe has caught the attention of traditionalists, heritage blokes and contemporary trainer types. Its looks betray its age — originally released in 1981, its connection to the coveted All Conditions Gear range that released almost a decade later is evident without any attached history lesson. That doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a story worth telling. contemporary outdoor settings. Launched in 1989 alongside the release of the Son of Lava Dome and Wildwood shoes, the label combines everyday comfort with a preference for a revised all-season function. Inspiration hails from the brand’s Blue Ribbon Sports heritage, but also from a passion for mountain utility, military styling and classic climbing apparel. Less destination minded and more focused on enjoying the journey, Nike ACG also remains known for their ability to connect with nature through an adaptive lens. Many of Nike ACG’s collections focus on a strive towards sustainable resourcing and are led by a goal of not only handling nature but protecting it too.For the immediate future, the next major project for the Analemma Society at Turner Farm is developing the RATO to allow use by groups for observing. Besides the direct visual viewing currently provided by the observatory's scopes, the hope is to provide children with an opportunity to control a telescope remotely. Observing from a remote location, like a classroom, they would see the dome open and rotate. The telescope would move electronically to the object they select to observe, and they would see its image form on their computer screen. Red lights on! A night of observing in the roll-top observatory is underway.

In 1982, the Lava Dome was joined by the Magma boot and the Approach — the first-ever Nike shoe to use GORE-TEX technology. Driving popular, the Lava Dome would stay in the Nike line until the mid-1980s. While it was hardly the most glamorous of designs compared to its shiny Nike shelf mates (though downright sleek compared to nearly every other hiking offering) sharp-eyed viewers of all things early 1980s might spot it a few times, notably sci-fi mini-series and TV show V, where lead character Mike Donovan, played by Marc “Beastmaster” Singer, wore a pair to death while combating reptilian visitors. The original Lava Dome was an instant hit among Nike lovers, and it saw a revival again in the 90’s with rappers of the golden era and celebrities alike donning the trainer despite its outdoor intentions. Even comedian Jerry Seinfeld wore them!The early 1980s ushered in a new era of technology geared towards the outdoors, as hikers shed their heavy leather boots in favor of these new, lightweight designs. Alongside Nike, brands like Adidas and New Balance were eager to try their hand at a hiking silhouette.

Robert Anderson Workers prepare to lift the dome to the top of the observatory tower at Turner Farm.Nike also explored well beyond the realm of footwear, and with GORE-TEX now at its disposal the Oregon based giant manufactured everything from waterproof ski gear to windbreakers. By the time the 90’s rolled around, the outdoors was seemingly opening up as more of America’s middle class found themselves able to participate, sowing the seeds for ACG’s breakthrough success. In fact, according to Nike, ACG's stuff is now made by "keeping their eyes peeled for conditions that could inform their designs," and this now includes a rigorous round of product testing before being released to the public. The result of Hugh's involvement in ACG found its home at NikeLab, the brand's division for innovative products. The garments themselves were obviously of high quality, but on a macro level the project felt more like a collaboration between the ACG and Acronym than a truly homogenous mix of the two brands' identities. Hugh's ACG was dark and brooding, and was a distinct departure from the irreverent and rebellious spirit that the brand was founded upon. The early 1980s ushered in new performance innovations for outdoor gear. GORE-TEX liners for shoes and a fresh breed of running shoe/boot hybrids entered the market. An appetite for lightweight hikers rather than the leather boots with their lead-like feel led to a lot of incredible designs. adidas — a longtime creator of boots, given their Bavarian roots — had created their Super Trekking model for Reinhold Messner in 1978 for his Everest ascent and New Balance would consult on the 1982’s Rainier boot for New Balance, having worn a pair of the brand’s (presumably CT) tennis shoes and been impressed by the comfort.