Adidas and Puma are two of the biggest sports brands in the world, with a combined revenue of over 30 billion dollars. But did you know that these two companies were once one and the same, founded by two brothers who eventually became bitter rivals?

The Origin Story

The story of Adidas and Puma begins in the small German town of Herzogenaurach, where brothers Adolf and Rudolf Dassler started a shoe company called Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik in 1924. The brothers were passionate about sports and wanted to create shoes that would help athletes perform better.

The company quickly became successful, with their shoes being worn by athletes in the 1928 and 1936 Olympics. However, World War II brought the business to a standstill, with both brothers serving in the German army. After the war, the brothers resumed their business, but tensions between them began to rise.

The Split

In 1948, the brothers had a falling out and decided to split the company. Adolf, who was known as Adi, kept the original company name and founded Adidas, while Rudolf started his own company called Ruda, which he later renamed to Puma.

The split was bitter and the brothers never reconciled. They even divided the town of Herzogenaurach into two, with Adidas employees living on one side and Puma employees on the other. The rivalry between the two companies became legendary, with employees and even customers being loyal to one brand or the other.

The Brands Today

Today, Adidas and Puma are both global brands with a wide range of products, from shoes and apparel to accessories and even fragrances. Adidas is known for its iconic three stripes logo and its partnerships with athletes like Lionel Messi and James Harden. Puma, on the other hand, is known for its cat logo and its collaborations with artists and designers like Rihanna and Alexander McQueen.

The rivalry between the two brands has softened over the years, with both companies focusing more on their own products rather than each other. However, there is still a sense of competition between the two, with each brand trying to outdo the other in terms of innovation, design, and marketing.

Question and Answer

Q: Who founded Adidas and Puma?

A: Adidas and Puma were both founded by brothers Adolf and Rudolf Dassler.

Q: Why did the brothers split up?

A: The brothers had a falling out in 1948 and decided to split the company. Adolf founded Adidas, while Rudolf started Puma.

Q: What are Adidas and Puma known for?

A: Adidas is known for its three stripes logo and partnerships with athletes, while Puma is known for its cat logo and collaborations with artists and designers.

The Response

The story of Adidas and Puma has fascinated people around the world, with many seeing it as a cautionary tale of family and business. The rivalry between the two brands has also become a source of inspiration for creatives, with artists and designers using the iconic logos and motifs in their work.

Many people have also expressed admiration for the two brothers, who were able to create two successful companies from scratch. Despite their differences, both Adi and Rudolf were passionate about sports and innovation, and their legacy lives on through their brands.

The Summary Table

As you can see, Adidas and Puma have their own unique identities and strengths, but both can trace their roots back to the same small town in Germany and two brothers who shared a passion for sports and innovation.