Dassler brothers

The Dassler brothers, Adolf ("Adi") and Rudolf ("Rudi"), were pivotal figures in the sportswear industry, founding Adidas and Puma respectively. Their journey began in the early 20th century when they transitioned from their family's weaving business to shoe production post-World War I. Facing a challenging economic climate in Germany, they nonetheless managed to innovate and grow their business 1.

In the 1920s, they jointly ran a shoe company, which split into Adidas, founded by Adi, and Puma, founded by Rudolf, after a significant feud 1. This feud not only divided their family but also the entire town, with loyalties often reflected through the brand of shoes people wore 2.

Adi Dassler’s relentless focus led to numerous innovations in sports footwear, registering nearly 700 patents over his lifetime 3. Despite their contributions, the rivalry with his brother defined much of their legacy, highlighting the deep psychological and social impacts of such divisions 4 5 6.

For a comprehensive study of their story, "Sneaker Wars" by Barbara Smith delves into the human aspects behind their brands' successes and the intense rivalry that defined their business journey 4.