Exactly 70 years ago, there was a quarrel between the brothers Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, as a result of which they divided their company into Adidas and Puma. The two world famous brands can be traced back to a family squabble, without which neither Puma nor Adidas would exist today. Their rivalry changed the sporting goods industry forever and allowed it to reach incredible heights, such as the legendary Puma sneakers at https://street-beat.com/cat /puma /.
Brothers Rudolph and Adolf Dassler made their first sneakers in the laundry at their parents' house in Herzogenaurach. In 1919, the family company Geda was established, which in 1927 employed 12 employees. A big breakthrough for the company was the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin: athletes who competed in sneakers made by the brothers received seven gold medals and five silver and bronze medals. The company was successful, but the war soon broke out.
During World War II, Geda turned into an arms factory, Rudolph was drafted to the front, and Adolph remained at home. When Rudolph returned from the war after one year in prison, shoe production began again, but in January 1948, a split formed between the brothers, which continued until their death.
Until now, no one knows what caused the controversy. Even their grandchildren are unaware of this, although there are many theories. When Adolf and Rudolph died, they were buried at opposite ends of the city cemetery.
One theory is that since Rudolph fled the front in 1945 and was arrested on his way back, Adolph gave the American occupiers information about his brother to get him out of the way. According to another theory, Adolf was jealous of his brother, and rumor has it that something happened between Rudolph and his brother's wife, as he was known as a womanizer.
Nevertheless, the town of Herzogenaurach, where both companies were founded and are still registered, has become the cradle of the sporting goods industry. Exactly 70 years ago, Adolf Dassler founded the sports brand Adidas - just a year after his brother Rudolf Dassler created the Puma brand.
