Rudolf Dassler(1898-1974)

Rudolf Dassler is a German founder of the sportswear company Puma and the older brother of Adidas founder, Adi Dassler. The brothers were partners in a shoe company Adi started, Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik (Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory). Rudi joined in 1924, however the brothers became rivals following World War II and started their own companies in 1948. Under his direction, Puma remained a small provincial company. Only under the direction of his son, Armin A. Dassler, did it become the worldwide known company it remains today.