Reebok: The rise and fall of a century-old sports brand (Part 1)

2025-04-08

From Foster running shoes to the birth of Reebok

In 1895, in Bolton, England, a young man named Joseph William Foster, who had an infinite love for sprinting, could not buy the professional running shoes he wanted because he was short of money. However, this love inspired his creativity, and he decided to install spikes on the bottom of ordinary shoes himself, and the world's first pair of spiked shoes, "Foster running shoes", was born. The advent of this pair of shoes, like a stone thrown into a calm lake, caused ripples in the sports world. Because of its excellent grip, it quickly became the favorite of many runners. In the late 19th century and early 20th century, wearing "Foster running shoes" to participate in competitions became a symbol of many athletes' pursuit of speed and victory.
The following year, Foster founded a company specializing in sports shoes with his keen business vision and confidence in the sports shoe market. At that time, the sports industry was still in its infancy, but Foster firmly believed that high-quality sports shoes would play an important role in the sports field. In the early days of the company, it focused on customizing high-quality sports shoes for professional athletes. With its exquisite craftsmanship and accurate grasp of athletes' needs, it gradually emerged in the British sports goods market.
As time went by, by 1936, the "J.W.Foster&Sons" sports shoes produced by the company had become the preferred equipment for many professional clubs in the British rugby and football world, including well-known clubs such as Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers. This is not only a recognition of Foster's shoemaking technology, but also a strong proof of the growing brand influence.

1958 was a milestone year for Foster. After Foster's two grandsons, Joseph Foster and Jeffrey Foster, took over the company, they injected new vitality and ideas into the brand. They changed the brand name and trademark of "Foster" to "Reebok". The word "Reebok" comes from the African dialect, referring to a light-bodied antelope that is good at running. This name implies that the Reebok brand will be like an antelope, moving forward courageously and pursuing speed and excellence in its future development. It also symbolizes the brand's unremitting pursuit of sportsmanship.


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