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Puma,
also known as Puma Aktiengesellscaft Rudolf Dassler Sport, is a German
footwear, apparel, and accessories manufacturer. Puma has retailers,
department stores, and boutiques in over 80 countries and has opened
several Concept stores in metropolitan cities. The roots of Puma brand
stretch back to the mid 1920's when Adi and Rudolph registered their
family shoe enterprise in Herzogenaurach, Germany, but after World War
II, during which Rudi Dassler had spent time in a POW camp, the Dassler
brothers began a legendary feud, causing Rudolph to leave the company
and found a rival company across town. Rudi Dassler named his company
Puma Aktiengesellscaft Rudolf Sport (Puma) while brother Adi
incorporated as Adidas. |
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In 1948, Puma released their first shoe, the PUMA
Atom to the market and to the West German football team. By 1950 Puma
had established export ties to the United States, and in 1958 PUMA's
signature formstripe was introduced. This would begin the intense battle
between Puma and Adidas to get their shoes onto the feet of world-class
athletes that would span the next several decades. This intense race to
market new technologies spawned copyright and infringement lawsuits
until 1960 when Puma, behind in sales by a nine to one ratio, paid West
German track star Armin Hary to defect from Adidas and wear Puma shoes. |