One of my friends pointed me in the direction of this article at BBC about Adidas & Puma.
“It’s quite a crazy story because in this little town, Herzogenaurach, a cobblestoned medieval town, you have two of the world’s biggest sports companies,” says Barbara Smit.
Apparently two brothers started a shoe company in the 1920s, but a feud happened between them, and eventually everyone in the town had to choose sides.
Rudolf, or Rudi, set up his rival firm, Puma, on one side of the river; Adolf, or Adi, stayed on the hill and shortened his name to form Adidas.
I find it very amusing that such a feud created two of the largest and most famous sports companies in the world…and that it was in a little German town, the name of which I can’t even pronounce.
Even in death, Rudi and Adi were not reconciled. At the local cemetery, their graves are about as far apart as you can get.
Although the feud had some positive result (the creation of two companies), it is also very sad that the brothers never allowed themselves to get over their pride and hurt. Ah well…the story as old as time, eh?
3 thoughts on “A rivalry of shoes”
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What an interesting story! And you’re right: how many times has it been told?
Wow, what a great story! Thanks for sharing!
My brother and I have had our shares of fights, but thankfully none have resulted to a long feud. 🙂
I just heard that story today, too! On NPR!