Adi Dassler

Adi Dassler was a pioneering German entrepreneur and inventor best known as the founder of Adidas, one of the world’s most iconic sportswear brands. Born in 1900 in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Dassler showed an early interest in athletics and craftsmanship, which led him to experiment with innovative footwear designs in his family's small washroom workshop after World War I. Driven by a relentless quest to enhance athletic performance, he crafted specialized shoes that quickly caught the attention of sportsmen across Germany.

Dassler’s commitment to quality and innovation reached global recognition when tracks and fields athletes, most notably Jesse Owens at the 1936 Berlin Olympics, won gold medals wearing his shoes. Overcoming the challenges posed by both World Wars and a fractious split from his brother—who founded rival brand Puma—Dassler’s vision and leadership steered Adidas into becoming an international powerhouse. His legacy endures as a testament to creativity, perseverance, and the power of sport to unite and inspire.