One of the largest athletic clothing companies in the world…
Began learning the intricate stitching skills needed to become a cobbler and obtained employment at a local factory, eventually specializing in making felt slippers.
Adi completed his formal education and was apprenticed to a baker. Entirely uninterested in becoming a baker, Adi spent much of his free time in athletic endeavors.
Along with his childhood friend, Fritz Zehlein, son of a local blacksmith, he engaged in a variety of sporting events in track and field as well as soccer, boxing, ice-hockey, skiing and ski jumping.
He completed high school but didn’t go to college/university.
Adi was conscripted in June 1918 in the last days of the war. He remained in the army for over a year until October 1919.
Adi supported himself while attempting to start up his business by repairing shoes in town.
Facing the realities of post-war Germany where there was no reliable supply for material for production or credit to obtain factory equipment or supplies, he began by scavenging army debris in the war-torn countryside: Army helmets and bread pouches supplied leather for soles; parachutes could supply silk for slippers.
The business would be driven by Adi's vision of specialized sport designs. He produced one of the earliest spiked shoes, with spikes forged by the smithy of the family of his friend Fritz Zehlein
During the 1930s, Dassler’s shoes were being showcased by high-level athletes on the world stage, both German athletes along with many others. Dassler’s most notable supporter in the early days of Adidas was infamous American Sprinter Jesse Owens who wore shoes custom made for him by Dassler at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. This was the most notable athlete to support Dassler in his early days, especially because Owens was not German.
