Adidas

Adi Dassler, the co-founder of adidas, was born to Christoph and Pauline Dassler in Herzogenaurach.

Käthe, the wife of Adi Dassler and a significant figure in the growth of adidas, was born to Franz and Katarina Martz of Pirmasens.

Adi Dassler and Karl Zech founded the first shoe production and developed the first running shoe in Adi's mother’s washroom in Herzogenaurach.

The Dassler brothers listed their company in the commercial register with the title “GeDa – Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik” (Dassler Brothers Shoe Manufacturers).

Runner Lina Radke won a gold medal in Amsterdam while wearing Adi Dassler's sneakers, marking a significant milestone in the history of Adidas.

Käthe and Adi Dassler got married.

In August 1936, Adi Dassler assisted in the development of spiked running shoes for multiple athletic events at the 1936 Summer Olympics, and persuaded U.S. sprinter Jesse Owens to use his hand-made spikes.

Adidas Originals is a line of casual sports clothing and footwear. It is a sub-division of the German multinational corporation Adidas.

Adidas AG, the multinational corporation known for designing and manufacturing shoes, clothing, and accessories, was formally registered as Adidas AG on August 18, 1949 in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

Samba was released as a football training shoe in response to cold weather. It has since evolved from its original purpose and is now considered a modern classic, especially in the UK.

Adidas bought the iconic three stripes branding in 1952, which became a key element of the company's identity and success.

German soccer legend Franz Beckenbauer debuted the Adidas tracksuit in 1967, which became iconic in sports clothing history and gained popularity across Germany and the world.

In 1968, Dick Fosbury wore odd colored adidas high jump shoes to the Olympic Games and won Gold by performing the 'Fosbury Flop'. This was also the year when the first adidas Gazelle was released.

The Adidas Superstar was released and later endorsed by Run-DMC, allegedly in imitation of 'prison style' worn by inmates. This led to the release of the song 'My adidas' to demonstrate the success of their endorsement, ultimately leading to a deal with Adidas.

Adidas introduced the official soccer ball, TELSTAR, for the 1970 FIFA World Cup™ to improve visibility on black and white television.

Adidas produced the TELSTAR soccer ball, which has become the standard design for all soccer balls and had a significant impact on the sport of soccer.

Nadia Comaneci, a gymnast, started wearing Adidas products during competition, which enhanced her performance. She became the first woman to score a perfect 10 in the Olympic games.

Adi Dassler, the co-founder of adidas, passed away at the age of 78.

Originally released as a tennis shoe in 1979, Forest Hills has gained legendary status among UK football fans.

In 1980, Campus was released and later championed by the Beastie Boys.

Käthe Dassler, a significant figure in the growth of adidas, passed away at the age of 67.

Former Middlesbrough & Liverpool player Craig Johnston invented the Adidas Predator. After being rejected by adidas, Nike, Reebok & Puma, he finally convinced adidas to offer him a deal by interrupting a board meeting with a video pitch.

In 1993, a new CEO was appointed to lead Adidas after the daughters of Adolf Dassler sold off their part of the company.

In 1994, Robert Louis-Dreyfus, a friend of Bernard Tapie, became the new CEO of Adidas. He was also the president of Olympique de Marseille, a team Tapie had owned until 1993.

In 1997, Adidas AG acquired the Salomon Group, a significant move that allowed Adidas to expand its product offerings and compete with major players in the industry.

Adidas Skateboarding is a division of Adidas that produces shoes and apparel designed for skateboarding.

Taylor and Adidas merged in August 1999, leading to a reshuffle in the company. The hiring of a Callaway official for a key post raised concerns about potential lawsuits.

In February 2000, Louis-Dreyfus, who had quadrupled revenue to €5.84 billion as CEO of Adidas, announced his resignation due to illness.

In 2003, adidas introduced the Y-3 brand, a collaboration with Yohji Yamamoto, offering a fusion of sports and high fashion, marking a significant milestone in adidas' expansion into the fashion industry.

The 'Impossible is Nothing' campaign was launched by Adidas in 2004, showcasing the brand's inspirational and motivational message to the world.

In 2005, Adidas introduced the Adidas 1, the first ever production shoe to use a microprocessor, marking a significant technological advancement in the footwear industry.

In January 2006, Adidas completed the takeover of Reebok, a move that positioned the company as a major player in the athletic shoewear market, particularly in North America.

In 2007, adidas unveiled Porsche Design Sport, a line of sports products developed in collaboration with Porsche Design, showcasing the brand's commitment to innovation and luxury in athletic wear.

Adidas was launched in 2011, promoting sports apparel, shoes and accessories for multiple different sports. The campaign included celebrities such as Katy Perry and David Beckham.

By the end of 2012, Adidas reported their highest revenues ever, and Chief Executive Herbert Hainer expressed optimism for the year ahead.

In 2013, Adidas initiated a partnership with rapper and fashion designer Kanye West, which continued until 2022. This collaboration significantly influenced the brand's cultural relevance and product offerings.

In 2015, Adidas completed the sale of Rockport for $280 million, a strategic move to streamline its brand portfolio and focus on core business operations.

In 2018, Adidas reported record net sales, further solidifying its position as a leading sportswear manufacturer globally.

In 2020, Reebok's revenue dropped to $1.61 billion, showing a significant decrease compared to the $3.77 billion it made in 2005.

In March 2022, Adidas sold Reebok to the Authentic Brands Group for approximately $2.5 billion.

In August 2022, the company announced that CEO Kasper Rørsted would step down in 2023, and Bjørn Gulden became CEO in January 2023.