infy HISTORY LESSON: The Brothers Dassler
Rudolf and his younger brother Adolf began making shoes in their mother’s laundry room in the 20’s. Their small town lacked steady electricity, forcing the pair to power their equipment taking turns on a stationary bike. In 1924 Rudi and Adi, with the help of friends and family, made 50 pairs of Dassler Brothers shoes per day; all by hand.
By 1936 The Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory was the shoe of choice for an American named Jesse Owens. That summer in Nazi Germany he shocked the world by setting world records in all 12 events he entered, accepting 4 gold medals in the presence of the Führer.
The brothers and their factory survived the war, but not each other. On a bitter night in 1948 Rudi Dassler packed his things and crossed the small river separating their two factories, splitting the company in two. Speculation over the quarrel ranges from Nazi allegations, a fight in a bomb shelter or even their wives.
Rudi started his own competing shoe company, fracturing the small town’s loyalties. The rival factories each had their own baker, butcher, bar, and soccer team.
The Dassler brothers never spoke again. Rudi chose a jumping cat for his shoe, calling it Puma. Adi took his brand from his name: Adidas. For the next 30 years the two brothers battled for the feet of world athletes. Rudi Dassler died on February 1, 1974 of lung cancer. Adi Dassler died September 6, 1978 of a heart attack in the small town where the brothers first made shoes in their mother’s laundry room. They are buried apart, in the same cemetery.
The Puma Rudolf Dassler Collection commemorates the founder of the brand. The shoes feature the original Puma jumping cat logo, vintage colorways, and premium materials. They are available at premium Puma accounts worldwide.
