From sport to fashion to music, Adidas is all in. Here is a look back at 15 of the brand’s most momentous firsts.
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1954: Berne World Cup
Image Credit: Courtesy of Adidas Adolf Dassler created the first modern football shoe with screw-in studs, helping the German national football team defeat the unbeatable Hungarians.
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1966: Haillet-Smith Deal
Image Credit: DNR Adidas’ first shoe endorsed by an athlete was a low-top leather tennis sneaker worn first by Robert Haillet and then rechristened for Stan Smith (pictured).
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1967: Kathrine Switzer
Image Credit: Boston Globe via Getty Images While wearing Adidas sneakers, Switzer became the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as an official registered participant.
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1970: Superstar
Image Credit: Courtesy of Adidas Adidas launched its low-top leather basketball shoe with a shell toe. It evolved from an on-the-court staple to a pop-culture icon.
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1972: Adilette
Image Credit: Courtesy of Adidas The first slide made for the shower debuts initially for pro athletes and later releases to the public in 1976.
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1972: Samba
Image Credit: Courtesy of Adidas Adidas releases the first commercial indoor version of the Samba, based on a 1950 soccer boot created by Dassler for snowy pitches.
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1973: Billie Jean King
Image Credit: WWD As King (pictured on throne) launched her fight for equal payment in sports at the “Battle of the Sexes,” partner Adidas released the first colored and women’s tennis shoe.
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1986: Run-D.M.C.
Image Credit: WWD Adidas became the first sports brand to sponsor musicians and artists, starting with its partnership with hip-hop group Run-D.M.C.
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1994: Predator
Image Credit: Courtesy of Adidas A new generation of football shoes began with the Predator, featuring ridges to increase friction. It was worn by top players including David Beckham.
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2003: Y-3
Image Credit: Fairchild Archive/Penske Media Adidas and designer Yohji Yamamoto created the Y-3 label, marking the first time a sports brand ventured into fashion.
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2004: Stella McCartney
Image Credit: Adam Duke/WWD Adidas partnered with designer Stella McCartney to develop the first women’s sportswear combining functionality and style.
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2013: Boost
Image Credit: Courtesy of Adidas Adidas altered the running world with its first Boost midsole delivering maximum energy return and responsiveness. It’s followed in 2015 by the hit Ultraboost.
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2015: Parley
Image Credit: Courtesy of Adidas As part of its sustainability commitment, Adidas teamed with Parley for the Oceans to create the first upper made from recycled marine plastic waste.
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2017: Futurecraft 4D
Image Credit: Courtesy of Adidas Ever the innovator, Adidas unveiled the first performance footwear crafted with light and oxygen, using Digital Light Synthesis.
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2021: Stan Smith Mylo
Image Credit: Courtesy of Adidas Adidas chose the iconic Stan Smith sneaker to debut its first use of Mylo, a bio-based material made from mycelium fungus.
