Adolf Dassler Founder of Adidas

Biography of Adolf  Dassler

Early Life

Adolf  Dassler founder of Adidas AG was born in Herzogenaurach, Kingdom of Bavaria in German Empire on 3^rd November 1900. He belonged to a very poor family. His all family was working in the field of shoe making and maintenance. He passed his childhood in getting training of cobbling. When he completed his training, he started his carrier by making shoes in the laundry of his mother. He started this work after his return from the First World War.

Working Background

He was the son of Christoph. His father also worked in shoe making factory. His brother also belonged to the same field, he used to make the spikes for track shoes, and he made them with hand. His brother worked at the shop of a blacksmith. His brother also financially supported him in starting business. He made partnership with his older brother named Rudolph Dassler, and opened a business. They named that shoe making company as the Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory, the real name was in German language, and this name is its translation in English language. That factory was started in the year 1924 on 1^st July.

1928 Olympics

In Olympic Games of the year 1928, his company provided shoes to an athlete, Jesse Owens who belonged to the USA. He won four gold medals in that year by wearing his shoes. That was the summer of 1936 in Berlin, in which his company gained international reputation which started with the help of Olympic athlete.

World War II

In World War II both brothers went to join the Nazi Party of Adolf Hitler. From both of these brothers older one was proved to be more passionate for Nazi Party and was a better National Socialist. So, his brother was selected for the Nazi Party and he was left for the same work of shoe making. This event created long distances between these two brothers. His brother was also made a captive by American troops under the suspicion of being a member of the SS.

Founder of Adidas AG

The differences between him and his brother compelled him to leave that company and create another company with his own name. He left the Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory in 1948. He founded another company of shoe making in the same town but on another side of Aurach River. He named that company as Puma but later on the company was renamed as Adidas. This name was taken from the initials of his own name Adi Dassler.

Adidas AG

It is a multinational company of Germany in the field of clothing and sportswear. This company’s headquarter is based in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany. Adidas actually is just a part of Adidas Group which also includes some other companies of the same field. These other companies are the Reebok which is a sportswear company, Taylor Made-Adidas which is a golf company, Rockport and FC Bayern Munich. FC Bayern Munich Company’s 9.1% come under the Adidas Group.

It was initially made as shoe producing company but as it progressed its catalog diversified and now it also manufactures bags, watches, shirts, eyewear, and other clothing items also.

As far as ranking is concerned it is the number one corporation of Europe and Germany in terms of sportswear. But when it comes on global level its rank reduces to one spot and comes on second spot as the second largest sportswear producer just after Nike.

In terms of history it was established in 1948 by Adolf Dassler, who broke partnership with his brother for the formation of his own shoe making factory.

Death

He died on 6^th September 1978 in West Germany’s Herzogenaurach area. After his death Adidas was taken over by his son and son’s wife.

In 2006 a statue of Adolf Dassler was made in AdiDassler Stadium in Herzogenaurach Germany. That was the art of Josef, a sculpture maker.