History of Adidas
The history of Adidas dates back to the early 20th century and is closely intertwined with the life and vision of its founder, Adolf "Adi" Dassler. The story of Adidas is a tale of innovation, competition, and perseverance that has led it to become one of the most recognizable and successful sportswear brands in the world.
Adi Dassler started his journey by crafting handmade sports shoes in his mother's laundry room in the town of Herzogenaurach, Germany, in the 1920s. His passion for improving athletic performance through footwear led him to design innovative spiked shoes for athletes. In 1924, he and his brother Rudolf founded the Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory), which became the predecessor to both Adidas and Puma.
As tensions between the brothers rose during World War II, their partnership eventually dissolved. In 1948, Adi Dassler officially founded Adidas AG, derived from his own nickname "Adi" and the first syllable of his last name, "Das." This marked the official beginning of the Adidas brand.
The iconic three-stripe logo, which has become synonymous with Adidas, was introduced in 1949. This logo was not only visually distinctive but also symbolized the brand's commitment to quality and innovation. In the following decades, Adidas continued to expand its product range, producing shoes for various sports.
Adidas gained widespread recognition through its sponsorships of athletes and sports teams. It became particularly well-known in soccer, providing equipment for major teams and players. The 1970s saw Adidas extending its influence into popular culture as well, with the rise of hip-hop culture embracing the brand's unique style.
In recent years, Adidas has maintained its status as a global leader in sportswear and athletic footwear.
Adidas has transcended its sports-oriented origins to become a prominent player in the fashion industry. Collaborations with designers and celebrities have resulted in iconic collections that blend sportswear with high fashion, making Adidas a popular choice for both athletic and casual wear. Today, Adidas stands as one of the world's most recognizable and influential sportswear brands, with a rich history of innovation, quality, and global impact. The brand's journey from a small workshop in Germany to a global icon is a testament to its founder's vision and the enduring appeal of its products.
How to identify vintage Adidas
Similar to most brands, the tags serve as a valuable resource for determining the age of an Adidas garment. However, the time frame for certain tags are relatively undisclosed, and Adidas, themselves, provide limited information in regards to this. Along with that Adidas has made so many tag variations over the years. This can pose challenges for vintage enthusiasts like us who want to date vintage Adidas items accurately, especially when pinpointing precise dates. Nevertheless, we can utilize our own collective experience to create approximate timelines for different tag periods. So while diving into the journey of vintage identification, please keep all the aforementioned in mind. So let us start with: Adidas
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The 70s Adidas Tags
The 80s Adidas Tag
The Early to Mid 90s Adidas Tag
The Mid to Late 90s Adidas Tag
The 00s Adidas Tag
Overview
