History Of Adidas

Many think that Run-DMC were the first to bring Adidas to the forefront of athletic footwear in the '80s, however the history of Adidas goes further than most know. Based in Germany, the company’s three-stripe logo is recognized across the world.

Brothers Adolf “Adi” Dassler and Rudolf “Rudi” Dassler naming the company Dassler started Adidas in 1924. When Jesse Owens wore them in the 1936 Summer Olympics, it catapulted Adidas to a top position among famous athletes and civilians alike.  Accounts say during WWII while running for refuge in a basement from Allied forces, Adi, stated, “Here are the bloody bastards again.” Those simple words would change the history of Adidas forever. Rudi took that as a quip at his family though Adolf vehemently denied it. . Later Rudi would blame Adi for turning him in to America. The brothers split in 1947. Adi went on to form Adidas (“Adi” and “Das” from Dassler and Rudi started Ruda, which later became Puma.

 "Adi Dassler was the first entrepreneur to use sports promotion in order to make the public aware of his innovations,” states the Adidas Group. After the break, Adi moved full steam ahead registering the company name in 1949. Using left over war materials the company began to promote Adidas shoes on athletes. In 1954 the, when the German soccer team wore Adidas boots during a defeat of Hungary, the company was once again catapulted to popularity. They would go on to use other big name athletes such as, Kareem Abdul- Jabbar, Muhammad Ali, and Joe Namath.

Adi died in 1978 leaving the company to his wife Kathe who ended up dying in 1984. Their son Horst would die in 1987 causing financial turmoil for the company. In 1989, Bernard Tapie, a flipper of troubled companies, purchased the company. After he had personal troubles he sold Adidas to Robert Louis-Dreyfus in the early'90s. The company went public in 1995, becoming the Adidas Group.

Over the years Adidas continued to make advancements in athletic shoes allowing them to become number two in sporting-goods. They also begin acquiring other companies including the Salomon Group and Taylor Made. In 2006 they acquired Reebok, becoming adding an extra punch to their brand.

References:

Adidas Group

Sneaker Wars

Bloomberg- Adidas