Adidas and Puma

In the 1940s, Puma and Adidas were born from a family feud.

Two brothers, Adolf and Rudolf Dassler, had built a successful shoe business together. But after World War II, they split.

Adolf founded Adidas. Rudolf founded Puma.

The brothers became fierce rivals, dividing their hometown of Herzogenaurach. Factories were on opposite sides of the river, and even the townspeople picked sides.

But the rivalry made both companies stronger. Each pushed the other to innovate.

Adidas pioneered track shoes, dominated in football boots, and became a cultural icon. Puma found its own success, signing athletes like Pelé and Usain Bolt.

Without the rivalry, neither brand might have become the global powerhouse they are today. Competition drove them to thrive. The family fight became a catalyst for innovation.