The history of Adidas began in 1924 when two German brothers started the company selling mens trainers. The original name of the brand was Dassler shoes and become known after its shoes were worn in the Olympics. The popularity was so great that the company’s growth was due largely in part to the demand of other athletes to sport the brand.
As with everything, nothing lasts forever and in 1948, one of the brothers left and started his own company to compete with Adidas. This is actually when the Adidas company acquired the now well-known name. Another change that came with this was the look of the product by adding the three stripes. These stripes were originally added to the design for stability and ultimately became the logo.
The company thrived for many years due to the demand of the product created by the athletes who wore them. In 1978, when the founder died, the history of Adidas began to change but the company remained family owned when his widow took over the company. Six years later, she died and her son took over the business until his death.
After the death of the Dassler family, Adidas began to experience financial troubles and was in danger of failing. A new owner stepped in and with some creative marketing was able to put Adidas brand right back on top. Athletes were no longer the only ones seeking Adidas products, entertainers and other celebrities began endorsing the products, keeping the brand a household name.
All companies get started somewhere with as little as just a nagging idea that entrepreneurs see the value in before anyone else. The history of Adidas is quite a colorful one when the thought that a single product could be so valuable. Companies are always coming up with some new product that everyone has to have and Adidas trainers are always on that list.