Dassler

Dassler is a German surname most closely associated with Adolf “Adi” Dassler and Rudolf Dassler, two brothers who built a historic footwear business in the 20th century. In 1924 they founded Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, producing athletic shoes for local athletes and later for international competitors. The company rose to prominence when Dassler shoes were worn at the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, notably by Jesse Owens, helping to establish the brand's reputation in sport.

After World War II, the brothers ended their partnership amid personal and business tensions. In 1948 Adolf Dassler established Adidas, a name derived from Adi Dassler’s nickname and the first part of his surname. Rudolf Dassler formed Puma, creating a separate company that would become Adidas’s principal rival. The split helped make Herzogenaurach a focal point of a famous industrial rivalry and highlighted Germany’s emergence as a major hub of athletic footwear and sportswear.

Today Adidas and Puma are global leaders in athletic footwear, apparel, and equipment, with extensive international operations and sponsorships. The Dassler legacy persists in corporate histories, product innovations, and branding strategies that originated from the brothers’ early factory and their subsequent split. Beyond the two brands, the surname Dassler remains a German family name carried by individuals and families outside this corporate story.