adidas Release Dates
Adidas was founded on August 18th, 1949 by Adolf Adi Dassler, following a split from his brother Rudolf Dassler's company, which would become Puma. The company, originally based in Herzogenaurach, Germany, gets its name from the combination of the founder's nickname, Adi, and the first three letters of his surname, Das.
Adidas' iconic three-stripe logo was first introduced in 1952, initially for stability, but it quickly became a recognized symbol of the brand. Its renowned logo, the trefoil, was introduced in 1972, representing the spirit of the Olympic ideals - three continental plates. Later in 1997, the logo was streamlined to the three bars, angling to resemble a mountain, to symbolize the challenges athletes face and overcome.
Adidas' first major breakthrough came when it produced one of the first football boots with replaceable studs, which were worn by the German national team when they won the 1954 World Cup. In 1967, the brand entered the world of apparel with their Franz Beckenbauer tracksuit, named after the famous German footballer.
The brand made a successful entry into the basketball world in the early 70s with the release of the Superstar, worn by NBA stars like Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. In the late 80s, Adidas made waves in the hip-hop culture when the band Run-DMC wore the Superstars without laces in their concerts and even made a song titled 'My Adidas', further solidifying the brand's cultural relevance.
Adidas has been home to numerous athletes and celebrities, including football greats like Lionel Messi and David Beckham, basketball star James Harden, and tennis legend Stan Smith, whose signature shoe became one of the best-selling tennis shoes of all time. The brand has also been known for collaborations with influential figures in fashion and music, such as Kanye West's Yeezy line, Pharrell Williams' Human Race collection, and numerous collections with designer Stella McCartney.
Adidas commitment to innovation has been consistent over the years, with developments like the Boost cushioning technology introduced in 2013, and the Futurecraft series exploring sustainable and groundbreaking shoe technology. From the soccer fields to the streets, Adidas remains a global icon, representing style, performance, and a passion for sports.
