Rudolf Dassler (26 March 1898,
Herzogenaurach, (
Germany) - 27 October 1974,
Herzogenaurach) was the
German founder of the sportswear company
Puma and the older brother of
Adidas founder,
Adolf "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.