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Adolf Dassler
Photo: Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons12

Adolf Dassler

Founder of Adidas (1900–1978)

Adolf "Adi" Dassler (3 November 1900 – 6 September 1978) was a German cobbler, inventor, and businessman who founded the sportswear company Adidas.2

From Wikipedia’s article on Adolf Dassler (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Born Nov 3, 1900, died Sep 6, 1978.1

About

He was the younger brother of Puma founder Rudolf Dassler. The brothers were partners in a shoe company Adolf started, Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik ("Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory"). Rudolf joined in 1924. However, after a feud developed between them following World War II, the brothers went separate ways and started their respective companies in 1948.

Dassler was an innovator in sports shoe design and one of the early promoters who obtained endorsements from athletes to drive sales of his products. From his concepts, he created Adidas, which had 17 factories and annual sales of one billion Deutschmarks at the time of his death.

From Wikipedia’s article on Adolf Dassler, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.2

Companies

Career

Occupation: fashion designer, politician, entrepreneur.4

Personal life

  • BornNov 3, 1900, Herzogenaurach5
  • DiedSep 6, 1978, Herzogenaurach6
  • CitizenshipGermany7
  • SpouseKäthe Dassler8

Dassler was married to Käthe until his death from heart failure in 1978. They had 5 children. In 1973, their son Horst Dassler founded Arena, a producer of swimming equipment. Käthe died on 31 December 1984.

From Wikipedia’s article on Adolf Dassler (this version), CC BY-SA 4.0.

Awards

  • Date not recordedBavarian Order of Merit9
  • Date not recordedOfficer's Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany9

Sources

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