John Mott: Inventor of the First Light-Up Shoe
The ASICS GEL NITE-LYTE, released in 1993, holds a unique place in sneaker history. Long before children’s light-up shoes became playground staples, the idea came from John Mott, who believed footwear could improve safety for kids and runners at night.
Working with Pennwalt USA, Mott developed piezo-electric film technology that could harvest footstrike energy to power an LED. Unlike later mercury-based systems, Mott’s design was safer and more advanced. ASICS purchased the concept and integrated it into its GEL performance line, resulting in the world’s first production light-up running shoe.
ASICS GEL NITE-LYTE at the Olympics and on TV
The NITE-LYTE wasn’t just a lab experiment, it made global headlines in the early ‘90s.
- Worn by Paralympic archer Antonio Rebollo at the 1992 Barcelona Olympics opening ceremony, when he lit the cauldron with a flaming arrow.
- Featured on BBC’s “Tomorrow’s World”, which showcased futuristic technologies.
These appearances cemented its status as a symbol of innovation.
ASICS GEL NITE-LYTE Design and Technology
According to a German ASICS’s NITE-LYTE advertisement (Art. No. 400 020), the NITE-LYTE combined cutting-edge running performance with safety lighting technology:
- Upper: Nylon mesh with Duraskin reinforcements and soft nylon lining.
- Heel: Padded with an internal PVC counter housing the LED.
- Midsole: Dual-density DuoMax EVA with GEL cushioning in forefoot and heel.
- Electronics: Stride-Generated Electronic System using piezo film + chip, triggering a flashing LED each step.
- Outsole: Full-rubber with hard-rubber inserts.
- Sizes: Men’s US 6–12.
Essentially, it was a fully-fledged ASICS GEL runner equipped with built-in night visibility technology.
ASICS NITE-LYTE vs. LA Gear and Reebok Innovations
One overlooked fact: the NITE-LYTE actually predates LA Gear’s children’s light-up sneakers, making it the true first commercial light-up shoe.
It also paralleled Reebok’s piezo-electric experiments in the early ‘90s, where designer Steven Smith tested piezo-electric valves for the Pump system. Costs would have pushed retail prices to nearly $300 (≈$670 today), and prototypes lasted only 30 minutes before failing. Reebok’s CEO shelved the project, leaving ASICS as the only brand to put piezo-powered footwear into production.
Colorways, Archive Samples, and Sneaker Freaker Rediscovery
Today, the White/Yellow colorway is the most remembered, appearing in Sneaker Freaker Issue 48: “It’s Lit!” and in John Mott’s original samples. Below is a photo from the ASICS Archive in Japan that shows the ASICS GEL-TWILYTE, the successor to the NITE-LYTE.
Above the description reads: “A lithium battery provides the power for the high-intensity lamp located in the PVC external counter generated by footstrike, the system utilizes Piezo film and computer chip technology. While the display shoe is 2nd model, the first model is GEL-NITE LYTE in 1993.”
The Japanese bio reads: “夜間ランニング時の安全を考案した運動靴。PVC製ヒールプロテクターに埋め込まれた高輝度ランプを、足の衝撃で点灯させる。ソールに圧電フィルムとコンピュータチップ技術を採用した。展示のモデルは第２号で、初代は１９９３年ＧＥＬ－ＮＩＴＥ ＬＹＴＥ.”
For decades, only one surviving pair sat in the ASICS archive, until sneaker media spotlighted the shoe again. Collectors recall them fondly:
“They did light up at the heel. Had the ASICS GEL white and yella wans, great guttie.” This rediscovery highlighted the NITE-LYTE’s role as a lost milestone in sneaker history.
The Legacy of the ASICS GEL NITE-LYTE
The GEL NITE-LYTE was more than a gimmick, it was the world’s first performance light-up running shoe, decades before wearable tech became mainstream.
- Invented by John Mott, driven by child safety.
- Adopted by ASICS into the GEL line in 1993.
- Showcased on a global stage at the Olympics and BBC television.
- Predated LA Gear Lights and foreshadowed Reebok’s piezo-electric research.
- Remembered as a rare, recalled, but revolutionary sneaker experiment.
While the story is largely unheard of among sneakerheads, it still remains a symbol of bold experimentation in 1990s sneaker innovation, proving that visibility and performance could be fused in one radical package.
Light Shoe Prototypes For Sale
Now British Inventor John Mott is selling a number of his inventions at auction via the Andrew Smith & Son auction house. There will be nearly 140 Lots for sale including the Light Shoe Prototypes, Carbon Fibre Golf Clubs, Tennis Raquets and even the Concept drawings. The Lots will also be on display once the auction goes live, giving people a chance to see these amazing inventions in-person.
This is an auction unlike any other and celebrates a lifesworth of inventions. The auction will start on the 5th of September 2025 and be live for 10 days. The Lots will all start at £0 and have no reserve, giving everyone the chance to own a piece of inventing history. Also up for sale are two mystery Lots in 15A and 15B, giving bidders the chance to get involved in something incredibly unique.
You can register your interest in the auction by signing up on the Andrew Smith & Son website.
wear shoes, write poems 