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2024-03-20 05:28:39

Adidas

German athletic apparel corporation
German athletic apparel corporation
Adidas is a German sportswear giant, known for its iconic three stripes logo. Founded by Adolf Dassler, it is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe and second largest globally. The company's revenue in 2018 was €21.915 billion.
1900-11-03
Adi Dassler's Birth
Adi Dassler, the co-founder of adidas, was born to Christoph and Pauline Dassler in Herzogenaurach.
1917-07-17
Käthe Dassler's Birth
Käthe, the wife of Adi Dassler and a significant figure in the growth of adidas, was born to Franz and Katarina Martz of Pirmasens.
1920
Founding of the First Shoe Production
Adi Dassler and Karl Zech founded the first shoe production and developed the first running shoe in Adi's mother’s washroom in Herzogenaurach.
1924-07-01
GeDa Listed in Commercial Register
The Dassler brothers listed their company in the commercial register with the title “GeDa – Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik” (Dassler Brothers Shoe Manufacturers).
1928-07
Lina Radke Wins Gold Medal in Amsterdam
Runner Lina Radke won a gold medal in Amsterdam while wearing Adi Dassler's sneakers, marking a significant milestone in the history of Adidas.
1933-05
Dassler brothers join the Nazi Party
Both Dassler brothers joined the Nazi Party in May 1933 and became members of the National Socialist Motor Corps. Adolf took the rank of Sportwart in the Hitler Youth from 1935 until the end of the war.
1934-03-17
Käthe and Adi's Marriage
Käthe and Adi Dassler got married.
1936-08-01
Dassler's Contribution to 1936 Summer Olympics
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.
1943
Dassler shoe production ceases for anti-tank weapons
In 1943, the Dassler shoe production was forced to cease operations, and the company's facilities and workforce were used to manufacture anti-tank weapons during World War II.
1945
Dassler factory spared by US forces
The Dassler factory, used for production of anti-tank weapons during World War II, was nearly destroyed in 1945 by US forces. It was spared when Adolf Dassler's wife convinced the American soldiers that the company and its employees were only interested in manufacturing sports shoes.
1949
Adidas Originals
Adidas Originals is a line of casual sports clothing and footwear. It is a sub-division of the German multinational corporation Adidas.
1949-08-18
Adidas AG Founded
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.
1950
Release of Samba
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.
1952
Adidas Acquires Three Stripes Branding
Adidas bought the iconic three stripes branding in 1952, which became a key element of the company's identity and success.
1954-07-04
Adidas Shoes Shapes the 1954 World Cup
Adidas shoes had a significant impact on the 1954 World Cup.
1963
Introduction of Adilette sandals
Adidas introduced the first ever pair of sandals, Adilette, in 1963. Originally developed in response to athletes' request for a shoe to be used in the locker room, the sandals have become a best-seller with various color variations over the years.
1965
Release of Haillet shoe renamed adidas Stan Smith
In 1965, adidas released the Haillet shoe, which was later renamed as adidas Stan Smith after the historic tennis player. This move proved to be highly successful for adidas, as even Stan Smith's competitors beat him while wearing his own shoes.
1967
Debut of Adidas Tracksuit by Franz Beckenbauer
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.
1968
Dick Fosbury wins Gold with adidas high jump shoes
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.
1969
Adidas Superstar 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.
1970
Introduction of TELSTAR Soccer Ball
Adidas introduced the official soccer ball, TELSTAR, for the 1970 FIFA World Cup™ to improve visibility on black and white television.
1971
Tournament Suede Basketball Shoe Released
In 1971, Adidas released the Tournament Suede basketball shoe, which became popular among basketball players and enthusiasts.
1972
Creation of TELSTAR Soccer Ball
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.
1975
Introduction of Nizza
The Nizza was first introduced in 1975 as Adidas' response to the Converse All Star. Initially designed for sport and leisure activities, it later gained popularity in various sub-cultures.
1976
Nadia Comaneci's Performance Enhancement
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.
1978-09-06
Adi Dassler's Death
Adi Dassler, the co-founder of adidas, passed away at the age of 78.
1979
Forest Hills released as a tennis shoe
Originally released as a tennis shoe in 1979, Forest Hills has gained legendary status among UK football fans.
1980
Campus released and championed by the Beastie Boys
In 1980, Campus was released and later championed by the Beastie Boys.
1982
Copa Mundial football boot endorsement
During the 1982 World Cup, the Copa Mundial football boot was heavily endorsed and has since sold over 10 million pairs.
1984-12-31
Käthe Dassler's Death
Käthe Dassler, a significant figure in the growth of adidas, passed away at the age of 67.
1985
Death of Kathe Dassler
Kathe Dassler, daughter of Adidas founder Adolf Dassler, passed away in 1985.
1987
Death of Horst Dassler
Horst Dassler, son of Adidas founder Adolf Dassler, passed away in 1987.
1989
Acquisition by Bernard Tapie
After a period of trouble, Adidas was bought in 1989 by French industrialist Bernard Tapie, which had a notable impact on the company's ownership and management.
1990
Acquisition of Adidas by Bernard Tapie
In 1990, French industrialist Bernard Tapie acquired Adidas for ₣1.6 billion, borrowing the amount. He was known for rescuing bankrupt companies and decided to move production offshore to Asia. Additionally, he hired Madonna for promotion.
1992
Adidas Predator Invention
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.
1993
New CEO appointed
In 1993, a new CEO was appointed to lead Adidas after the daughters of Adolf Dassler sold off their part of the company.
1994
Robert Louis-Dreyfus Becomes CEO of Adidas
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.
1995
Adidas goes public
In 1995, six years after becoming a corporation, adidas went public, signifying a new phase of growth and expansion for the company.
1997
Acquisition of Salomon Group
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.
1998
Adidas Lawsuit Against NCAA
In 1998, Adidas sued the NCAA over their rules limiting the size and number of commercial logos on team uniforms and team clothing. The lawsuit was later withdrawn, and guidelines were established for the use of the Adidas trademark.
1998
Adidas Skateboarding
Adidas Skateboarding is a division of Adidas that produces shoes and apparel designed for skateboarding.
1999-08-19
Taylor and Adidas Merger
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.
2000-02
Resignation of Louis-Dreyfus as CEO of Adidas
In February 2000, Louis-Dreyfus, who had quadrupled revenue to €5.84 billion as CEO of Adidas, announced his resignation due to illness.
2001-05-14
Mark King's Profile
In May 2001, a profile of Mark King highlighted his suitability for the job at Taylor. The article emphasized his fit for the role.
2002-07
Adidas Equipment KB8 endorsement for Kobe Bryant
Adidas endorsed Kobe Bryant with the Adidas Equipment KB8 as his first signature shoe until July 2002.
2003
Launch of Y-3 Brand
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.
2004
Launch of 'Impossible is Nothing' Campaign
The 'Impossible is Nothing' campaign was launched by Adidas in 2004, showcasing the brand's inspirational and motivational message to the world.
2005
Introduction of Adidas 1
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.
2005-08
Adidas acquires Reebok
In August 2005, Adidas acquired Reebok as a subsidiary following an intellectual property lawsuit.
2006-01
Takeover of Reebok
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.
2007
Introduction of Porsche Design Sport
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.
2008
Adidas sponsors English cricket market
In 2008, Adidas made a concerted move into English cricket market by sponsoring English batting star Kevin Pietersen after the cancellation of his lifetime deal with Woodworm.
2011
Adidas Launch
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.
2012-06-14
Controversy over Adidas 'shackle' sneakers
On 14 June 2012, Adidas posted on their Facebook page a picture of a pair of Jeremy Scott-designed shoes containing shackles. The picture caused controversy, and shortly after the outcry, the company cancelled the product.
2012-12-31
Adidas Reports Highest Revenues
By the end of 2012, Adidas reported their highest revenues ever, and Chief Executive Herbert Hainer expressed optimism for the year ahead.
2013
Adidas partners with Kanye West
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.
2014-07
Adidas signs Andy Murray
Adidas confirmed Andy Murray as their highest-paid star with a five-year contract reportedly worth US$24.5 million.
2014-08
Launch of Fit Smart wristband
Adidas announced the launch of a new $199 Fit Smart wristband in mid-August 2014. The wristband is designed to pair with Adidas's miCoach app, functioning as a personal trainer.
2015
Adidas Sells Rockport for $280 Million
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.
2015-03-24
Adidas Unveils 2015 McDonald's All-American Uniforms
On 24 March 2015, Adidas and McDonald's unveiled the 2015 McDonald's All-American uniforms, featuring short-sleeved jerseys made with lightweight and breathable material.
2016-09
Launch of New Color Ways of NMD R1 and NMD XR1
In September 2016, Adidas introduced two new color ways of the NMD R1 and one new color way of the NMD XR1.
2016-11
Teasing of Ocean Plastic Sneaker
In November 2016, Adidas teased a sneaker made from ocean plastic, showcasing the company's commitment to sustainability and innovation in material usage.
2017-01-26
Release of Adidas EQT 'Turbo Red' Pack
On 26 January 2017, the latest Adidas EQT line, known as the 'Turbo Red' Pack, was released, featuring models such as the Adidas EQT Support 93/17, EQT Support ADV, and EQT Support Ultra.
2018
Record Net Sales in 2018
In 2018, Adidas reported record net sales, further solidifying its position as a leading sportswear manufacturer globally.
2020
Reebok Revenue Decline
In 2020, Reebok's revenue dropped to $1.61 billion, showing a significant decrease compared to the $3.77 billion it made in 2005.
2021-07-23
Adidas Outfitter Announcement
On July 23, 2021, Adidas made an announcement related to their outfitter line.
2022-03
Adidas Sells Reebok
In March 2022, Adidas sold Reebok to the Authentic Brands Group for approximately $2.5 billion.
2022-08
CEO Kasper Rørsted Steps Down
In August 2022, the company announced that CEO Kasper Rørsted would step down in 2023, and Bjørn Gulden became CEO in January 2023.
2023
Bjørn Gulden becomes the new CEO of adidas
In 2023, Bjørn Gulden, a former professional football and handball player with almost 30 years of experience in the sporting goods and footwear industry, becomes the new CEO of adidas, leading the company into a new era.
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Adidas

German athletic apparel corporation
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