Adidas was started in 1948. This German sports manufacturer was named after its founder Adolf Dassler, who was called Adi. Adi's brother Rudolf Dassler also helped in the company and later went on to start the Puma brand shoe company.

adidas brand shoes and apparel prevails in many sports. They are one of the leading brands in soccer, tennis, and golf. Over the years adidas has taken over many conglomerates such as Reebok, Taylormade Golf Company, Salomon Group Ski Company, and Maxfli golf balls. The adidas sport shoes are only one of their claims to fortune and fame. adidas makes just about anything sports related from balls and shin guards to hats and water bottles. Since the 2005 takeover of British rival Reebok, adidas has become the second largest shoe company in the world. They are leading competitors to Nike and grossed over $13 billion in 2007.

Although they were always big in sports, adidas brand sport shoes got an overnight push from Middle America in the 1980's from the music industry. Rap icons Run DMC collaborated with the legendary rock band Aerosmith on a song called "Walk This Way". This song made billions of dollars and in the video the three infamous members of Run DMC were dressed head to toe in adidas apparel. The famous logo on signature black and white jumpsuits, shoes, and hats were forever embedded in the viewers' minds.

Robert Louis-Dreyfus, relative to the famous actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus is now CEO and runs adidas. The company is continuing to thrive. They made the first shoe with a microprocessor that automatically adjusts the comfort level as you run. It retails for $250 and the company called it "The World's First Intelligent Shoe". In 2006, adidas signed on to be the official apparel of the NBA, WNBA, and NBLD. Landing this 11-year deal, they will produce products and jerseys in the various team colors. adidas will continue to rise in the industry. Only coming in second to Nike worldwide, adidas is rising fast and branching out through all the sports.