Adolf Dassler registered Adidas in 1949 after splitting from his brother Rudolf Dassler.
The brothers had previously operated the Dassler Brothers Sports Shoe Factory in Herzogenaurach, Germany. Their partnership ended after a bitter dispute, and Rudolf went on to establish Puma, creating a famous rivalry between the two local sportswear companies.
Adolf’s company was registered as Adidas AG on 18 August 1949. The name is commonly explained as a combination of Adolf’s nickname, Adi, and the first three letters of his surname, Dassler. Adidas became especially influential in football and athletics, supplying footwear and apparel to athletes and teams.
The company is sometimes confused with Puma because both brands originated from the same family business. The split, rather than a simple change of ownership, created two separate companies and helped make Herzogenaurach a notable centre of sportswear manufacturing.