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In the small Bavarian town of Herzogenaurach, a revolution in athletic footwear began in 1924 when brothers Adolf ("Adi") and Rudolf Dassler started their modest shoe company, Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik. Originally manufacturing spiked running shoes, their innovative designs quickly gained attention among athletes.
The true turning point came when American sprinter Jesse Owens wore Dassler spikes during his historic four-gold-medal performance at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, catapulting the brand onto the world stage.
Following a bitter feud that divided the brothers in 1948, Adi Dassler forged his own path by establishing Adidas
Key Historical Innovations:
After weathering financial difficulties in the 1980s-90s, Adidas staged a remarkable turnaround through two strategic moves:
"Adidas doesn't just follow sports trends - it creates cultural movements. Their endorsement deals with celebrities and sponsorship of major events like the FIFA World Cup have made them leaders at the intersection of sports, fashion, and lifestyle."
Today, Adidas leads the industry in sustainable practices with initiatives like:
Shoes crafted from recycled ocean plastic since 2015
100% recyclable running shoes moving toward circular manufacturing
Net-zero carbon emissions pledge by 2050
For nearly a century, Adidas has transformed from a small German workshop into:
€23.6 billion revenue (2022)
73,000+ employees worldwide
Available in 160+ countries
Through relentless innovation, strategic partnerships, and deep understanding of athletic culture, Adidas continues to "impossible is nothing" - shaping not just sports apparel, but global popular culture itself.