Have you ever wondered where Adidas originated? If not, then read on. We’ll tell you about the company’s founders, including Rudi and Horst Dassler and Rob Strasser. We’ll also learn how their designs are based on history. Founded in 1904, Adidas has an exciting account. The company went through several tough times in the 1990s and nearly went bankrupt. After that, Robert Louis-Dreyfus took the helm and realized that it didn’t need to reinvent the wheel. He turned around the company’s fortunes by ramping up the marketing machine and focusing on products that would help propel the business back to growth.
Adi Dassler
The history of Adidas began in the early 20th century when founder Adolf Dassler created his first shoe. Originally a canvas shoe for runners, it soon became a global sportswear brand. After graduating from school, he served in the German Army for two years and, upon his return, registered the company Dassler Brothers Sports Shoe Factory. Today, the company is known worldwide for producing a wide variety of footwear, from athletic shoes to basketball sneakers.
As a young athlete, Dassler focused his attention on designing new sports shoes that would help athletes win medals. In 1928, he won the gold medal in the 800 m at the Amsterdam Olympics, where he set the first officially recorded world record time of 2:16.8. In 1950, the company introduced the “Samba” all-around soccer shoe. In 1952, Adidas introduced track shoes with removable spikes. In 1964, Emil Zatopek won three gold medals weekly while wearing Adidas shoes. He also won the marathon in 1956.
The company’s first shoe features a kangaroo leather upper, which reduces weight while increasing comfort. The company’s first tennis shoes were launched, and Edwin Moses won the 400m hurdles gold at the Montreal Olympics. In 1970, Adidas introduced the TRX jogging shoe and developed the official match ball for the Soccer World Cup in Argentina. Adi Dassler dies at the age of 78, but his son continues the tradition. In 1983, Adidas released the “Copa Mundial” soccer shoe, the world’s best-selling soccer shoe.
In addition to creating sports shoes, Adidas also began producing soap. Their “Road to Sydney” television program is televised throughout the world. In 2006, Adidas was named “Advertiser of the Year” and was presented the Clio Award in New York. In 2005, the company began a sponsorship campaign with the Indian Premier League. By the end of the decade, they were the first sportswear company to sponsor the World Cup.
After its founding, the two brothers decided to separate and start their own companies. Adolf Dassler started Adidas a year after his brother Rudolf made the rival brand Puma. Today, both brands are famous worldwide. But which one will triumph in the next century? Let’s examine these two companies and their history. We can see why Adidas is so famous. The story behind the brand begins in the early 1920s.
Horst Dassler
The story of Adidas began when Horst Dassler created it in 1902. He later died of cancer at the age of 51. Immediately following his death, the family started another battle over control of the company. Adi Jr. and Suzanne, two brothers, owned 20 percent of the company, while four sisters had 80 percent. They eventually fought over the company until the brothers could decide who would control it.
Horst Dassler founded the company with his father, Adolf, who was one of the most influential figures in international sport. He knew how to extend his influence by taking advantage of his “friends.” He used Adidas to do this and expand his power throughout the world. He even engineered elections, using the company as leverage to enhance the value of his sportswear empire.
Founded in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Adi Dassler’s company was a significant player in the world Olympic movement. It supplied equipment to countless Olympic teams. It also helped form the Latin-East Bloc coalition. Horst Dassler attended nearly all IOC meetings in recent years, where he often hosted lavish parties for the members of the International Olympic Committee. He became a frequent source of information for reporters covering Olympic affairs.
After a successful start, Adidas expanded into various sports-related products, including clothing and balls. The Herzogenaurach factory eventually expanded and opened a factory in France. Horst Dassler’s son Adi and his sister Suzanne sold most of their shares to cover inheritance taxes. Today, the Adidas company is one of the largest in Europe, with a global reach. Once known for producing athletic equipment, it has become a worldwide household name.
After rapid expansion, the brand’s success began to fade. In the late 1980s, Adidas struggled with low profits and a lackluster stock market. Kathe Dassler died of a heart attack in 1989, but the company continued growing and expanding. Under her leadership, Adidas became famous and popular with pop stars, celebrities, and young people. Today, Adidas is a global phenomenon that continues to thrive.
Rudi Dassler
Two German companies, Adidas and Puma, were born in 1947. The two companies were started by Adolf Dassler, the owner of the Dassler shoe factory. Originally called Ruda, the company changed its name to Puma after the owner’s second son, Adolf. Both companies would become worldwide sportswear brands. The company was founded by the Dassler brothers Adolf and Rudolf, who were experts in athletics and shoe manufacturing.
The company was founded by brothers Rudi and Adolf Dassler, who were both members of the Nazi party. The Dassler brothers opened a shoe factory in their mother’s laundry room, and the business grew. They specialized in athletic shoes and soon became Germany’s largest manufacturer of spiked shoes. The brand’s first big hit was the 1936 Olympics, where U.S. sprinter Jesse Owens won four gold medals wearing their pointy sports shoes.
In 1948, Adolf and Rudolf decided to split their company in two, each taking half of the business. After that, the brothers never spoke again. Rudolf headed south, and Adi kept the Dassler shoe factory. The brothers changed their names as well. Rudolf’s name was Rudolf, while Adolf’s became Adolf Dassler.
The Dassler brothers worked together for many years, but the pair did not get along, especially after World War II. Rudi was suspicious that Adi was providing information to the Allies, and Adi suspected Rudi of being a member of the SS. Also, Adi was jealous of Rudi, a notorious womanizer. Ultimately, the two men split the company, but it did not stop the brand from becoming one of the most famous sportswear companies.
Adidas shoes have had the three stripes on them since 1964. The two stripes began as a way to fasten the shoe together. Later, Adidas sued Puma for using the same design and trademark. They also sponsored West Germany’s team during the 1954 World Cup, which they won. As a result, the company was a popular sponsor. But what exactly made Adidas so famous? Here are a few things you might not have known about the company:
Rob Strasser
For many people, Adidas is synonymous with performance sportswear, but there’s another side to the company’s history. Peter Moore and Rob Strasser were successful sportswear designers who worked on advertising campaigns. While Strasser was a flamboyant, over-the-top personality, Moore was more reserved and provided the creative spark. They met with Adidas CEO Rene C. Jaggi and decided that Adidas needed a reboot.
When Adidas purchased Sports Inc. in 1993, Strasser was named president and chief executive of the subsidiary in Portland, Oregon. In the role of chief executive of Adidas America, he also brought former Nike executive Peter Moore. The Air Jordan brand would be created under the Strasser partnership, and Adidas has continued to sell its products in major sporting goods retailers. Rob Strasser’s flamboyant personality and credibility among large athletic specialty chains were critical factors in bringing the company to success.
Originally called “Adidas,” the company’s logo was first based on a Life magazine photograph and later became the Jumpman logo. Today, the brand accounts for ten percent of Nike’s annual sales. The Jumpman logo became so popular that the company allowed the company to make a 3D-printed version of the logo. The Jumpman logo has now become synonymous with performance sportswear, and it is an integral part of the brand’s identity.
While it’s true that Strasser worked in the sportswear industry for so long, he lived a life of leisure. While he was an instant millionaire upon the sale of Nike, he still preferred to wear Hawaiian shirts to the traditional suits. And he’s rumored to have put a $25,000 treasure hunt in Europe and a chicken costume in his will, but he preferred to spend his time vacationing on the coast or party boating on the Willamette River.
The company’s name comes from the Dassler brothers. They were born in Herzogenaurach, Germany, in 1898 and 1900, respectively. Herzogenaurach was a vital textile manufacturing city for decades before turning to shoemaking. Adi Dassler was trained as a baker but found that he could not find a job in his chosen field. He set up his first shoe-making operation in the back of his mother’s laundry. His original materials included old socks, shoes, and even used discarded materials.