It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe , and the second largest in the world, after Nike. The company was started by Adolf Dassler in his mother's house. Dassler assisted in the development of spiked running shoes spikes for multiple athletic events. To enhance the quality of spiked athletic footwear, he transitioned from a previous model of heavy metal spikes to utilising canvas and rubber.
Dassler persuaded U. In , following a breakdown in the relationship between the brothers, Adolf created Adidas and Rudolf established Puma , which became Adidas's business rival. The three stripes are Adidas's identity mark, having been used on the company's clothing and shoe designs as a marketing aid.
The company was founded by Adolf "Adi" Dassler who made sports shoes in his mother's scullery or laundry room in Herzogenaurach , Germany after his return from World War I. Following Owens' four gold medals, the name and reputation of Dassler shoes became known to the world's sportsmen and their trainers. Business was successful and the Dasslers were selling , pairs of shoes every year before World War II. In , their shoe production was forced to cease operations and the company's facilities and workforce was used to manufacture anti-tank weapons.
From to , at least nine forced labourers were working at both sites of the company. It was spared when Adolf Dassler's wife convinced the American soldiers that the company and its employees were only interested in manufacturing sports shoes.
American occupying forces subsequently became major buyers of the Dassler brothers' shoes. The brothers split up in after relations between them had broken down, [ 18 ] with Adolf forming a company registered as Adidas AG, from Adi Dassler , on 18 August , and Rudolf forming a new firm that he called Ruda — from Rudolf Dassler , later rebranded Puma. Adidas and Puma SE entered into a fierce and bitter business rivalry after the split.
