What started off as Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (German for Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory) is now two of the leading sports manufacturer brands in the whole wide world: Adidas and Puma. Two brothers, Rudolf Dassler and Adolf Dassler from Germany, started off a shoe manufacturing company from their mother’s laundry after World War I; in 1924 to be exact. The brothers split in 1947, after the World War II after many disagreements and formed two separate companies: Ruda (from Rudolf Dassler) and adidas AG (lower case lettering; ‘Adi’ short for Adolf and Dassler, instead of ‘All Day I Dream About Sports‘). Later on, Ruda became Puma AG and adidas AG became adidas.
After 62 years of intense rivalry, Adidas and Puma have decided to shake hands on 21st September, 2009 for the International Day of Peace festivities. The employees of both the companies will play a football match followed by watching a movie titled “The Day After Peace” which was directed by the founder of Peace One Day, Jeremy Gilley.
The event was promoted during the halftime of two football games between Bayern Munich vs FC Nuremberg and VfB Stuttgart vs FC Koln on 19th of September.
How can this be????
Puma and Adidas playing soccer. It will be a dirty game. sliding tackles, harsh contact. there is no love in the town from these two sets of employees…