Rudolf Dassler | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 26 March 1898 |
| Died | 27 October 1974 (aged 76) |
| Nationality | German |
| Occupation | Founder of Puma |
| Political party | Nazi Party (former member) |
| Partner | Friedl Dassler |
| Children | Armin Dassler (son) |
| Relatives | Adolf Dassler (brother) |
Rudolf "Rudi" Dassler (26 March 1898 – 27 October 1974) was a German cobbler, inventor, member of the Nazi Party, businessman and founder of sportswear company Puma.
He was the older brother of Adidas founder, Adolf "Adi" Dassler. The brothers were partners in a shoe company Adolf started, "Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik" (German for 'Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory'). Rudolf joined in 1924. However, after a feud developed between them following World War II, the brothers went separate ways and started their respective companies in 1948.[1]
Initially calling the new company "Ruda" (a portmanteau for Rudolf Dassler), it was soon changed to its present name of Puma.[2] Puma is the Quechua word for cougar; from there, it went into German as well as other languages.[3][4]
- ^ Carbone, Nick (2011-08-23). "Adidas vs. Puma – Top 10 Family Feuds – TIME". Content.time.com. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
- ^ John Underwood (1969-03-10). "The leading sports shoemakers in the world are the German – 03.10.69 – SI Vault". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
- ^ "Adidas versus Puma: Origins of a rivalry between brothers". The New York Times. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ Esterl, Mike (2008-03-21). "A Run for Their Money - WSJ.com". Online.wsj.com. Retrieved 2014-05-28.