**Puma**
- Year of Origin: 1948
- Stock Symbol: PUM (XETRA)
The history of Puma is quite fascinating. It dates back to 1948 in Herzogenaurach, Germany, when Rudolf Dassler founded Puma after a split with his brother Adolf, who started Adidas. Here’s a quick rundown of its journey:
1. **Early Days (1948-1960s)**: Puma started with soccer cleats, gaining popularity among footballers. The famous "Puma King" was introduced, becoming a favorite for professional athletes.
2. **Expansion (1970s)**: The brand began to diversify into other sports, launching innovative products for running, basketball, and tennis.
3. **Style & Culture (1980s-1990s)**: Puma embraced street culture and hip-hop with collaborations, most notably with rapper Run DMC. This era saw Puma’s styles become a fashion statement off the field.
4. **Innovation & Collaborations (2000s)**: Puma focused on performance technologies, while also partnering with fashion icons and designers, further solidifying its place in both sports and fashion.
5. **Recent Developments (2010s-Present)**: Puma has continued to thrive with sustainable practices and a strong lineup of collaborations, including partnerships with celebrities and designers like Rihanna and Selena Gomez.
Puma remains a major player in the sneaker world, balancing performance and style to appeal to a wide audience.