| The Adidas F50 soccer shoes are some of the most | | | | they often had to use a stationary bicycle to supply |
| popular soccer footware ever made. There are many | | | | energy for their equipment. |
| different variations on the F50 shoe, but they all have | | | | From such meager beginnings was born the largest |
| some similarities: each is lightweight, durable, and has | | | | sportswear manufacturer in Europe, second in the |
| interchangeable soles for long wear. Frequently, they | | | | world only to United States based Nike. The history is |
| also have replaceable soccer cleats and a covered | | | | fascinating; started in a laundry room belonging to the |
| lace placket for a flat kicking surface. Also touted for | | | | founder's mother, in 1936, Adi Dassler drove to the |
| the thin but sturdy materials they are made from, | | | | Summer Olympics and persuaded U.S. runner Jesse |
| these football shoes allow excellent feel of the ball. | | | | Owens to use some of his shoes. Owens would go |
| Unlike the old F50 soccer shoes (Adidas F50 | | | | on to win four gold medals, making Dassler's shoes |
| TRX)Newer varieties of the Adidas F50 soccer shoes | | | | overwhelmingly successful, and by the time of World |
| are made with Sprintskin, a ground-breaking microfiber | | | | War II, they were selling over 200,000 pairs each year. |
| that gives the fit of a second skin. | | | | A little known fact is that the brother's factory actually |
| Shortly after his return to Bavaria from World I, Adi | | | | shifted production to anti-tank weapons during World |
| Dassler started making shoes with scrap materials he | | | | War II. |
| bought or bartered for cheaply in town. The following | | | | The company today, in addition to the wildly successful |
| year, his brother Rudi Dassler became part of the | | | | Adidas F50 soccer shoes, also is the parent company |
| business, named the Dassler Brothers Shoe Factory. | | | | of Taylor Made-adidas Golf Company, Rockport |
| Electricity was often sporadic in the little town, and | | | | Shoes, and the Reebok Sportswear Company. |