Founder Profile
Rudolf Dassler
Last reviewed: October 2026 · By Swet Parvadiya
Who is Rudolf Dassler?
Rudolf Dassler is a founder of Puma SE, which was founded in 1948.
- Company founded
- Puma SE
- Founded
- 1948
Background
Rudolf Dassler (1898-1974) handled sales at Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik, the Herzogenaurach shoe company he ran with his younger brother Adolf (Adi), who led product design.
Founding Story
Rudolf Dassler co-founded Gebrüder Dassler Schuhfabrik with his brother Adi in the 1920s. After the brothers fell out during and after World War II, they split the business in 1948. Rudolf set up Schuhfabrik Rudolf Dassler (RUDA) on the other side of the Aurach river and renamed it PUMA the same year, while Adi founded Adidas. Rudolf ran Puma until his death in 1974, after which his son Armin Dassler took over.
Rudolf "Rudi" Dassler was born on March 26, 1898 in Herzogenaurach and died on October 27, 1974. In 1924 he joined the shoe company started by his younger brother Adolf, later the founder of Adidas. Rudolf Dassler was born in 1898.