Stuff You Should Know Selects: Adidas v. Puma: A Sibling Rivalry
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Apr 19, 2025 Dive into the thrilling origins of Adidas and Puma, born from a legendary sibling rivalry. Discover how the Dassler Brothers shaped the sports apparel landscape amid personal conflicts and wartime challenges. Hear about iconic moments like Jesse Owens' Olympic triumph and the lasting impact of the brothers' feud on culture and consumer behavior. From memorable anecdotes to the evolution of celebrity endorsements in the music world, this tale intertwines family dynamics with the competitive spirit of athletic innovation.
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Adi Dassler's Early Innovation
- Adolf Dassler began making athletic shoes in his mother's laundry after World War I.
- His innovative track shoes provided athletes with much better traction, changing sports footwear forever.
Jesse Owens and Dassler Shoes
- Jesse Owens won gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics wearing Dassler brothers' track shoes.
- These shoes got huge attention due to Owens' remarkable performance despite Hitler's presence.
Dassler Factory's War Shift
- During WWII, the Dassler factory shifted from shoes to making the Panzerschreck anti-tank weapon.
- The factory used forced labor, including French POWs, to produce these weapons for Germany.
