A sneaker company formed by Adi Dassler in 1948 in Herzogenaurach, Germany, after breaking the partnership with his brother Rudolf, which had begun in the 1920s. Rudolf went on to form the rival company Puma. Adidas has grown to become the second-largest sport shoe manufacturer with innovation at the forefront of the company's success. In 2004, Adidas launched Adidas 1, the first "thinking sneaker" complete with a microchip that could modulate its cushioning depending on need. Adidas has also teamed up with fashion designer Yohji Yamamoto to create their Y-3 label, a brand that consists of accessories, apparel, and footwear for men and women.
Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry. Francesca Sterlacci and Joanne Arbuckle.