It may not be Gerd Müller's gold-plated shoe, but it is a good example of how important special moments in sport are for some families. Adi Dassler received this shoe as a thank you from unknown friends. We would love to know the story behind it ...
Our exhibits
Bronze-plated Shoe
Sprintshoe Comet
The Comet dates back to the 70's. However, Adi developed the first sprint shoes as early as 1925. Alongside the football boots, they were among the first products of the Dassler shoe factory. Adi always wanted the best for the athletes and asked them for feedback. The discussion was very important to him, because it was the only way he could learn to improve and develop new things.
This special specimen lay well packed in the basement of the Baenkler family home. Unfortunately, neither the exact age, origin nor the history are known. But there was definitely a reason why this shoe was safely packed in the basement. Maybe it was Adi's test shoe ...
Bootstrap Stretcher
The wooden model is a simplified representation of the foot and is responsible for the fit of the shoe. It serves as a mold template and copy base for mass production.
A distinction must be made between the stretcher for the ready-made shoe, which was used for personal customization. Here the exact dimensions of the customer are recorded and the stretchers are individually adjusted by rasping and filing.
Again and again the Baenkler family finds some of these relics from the past in the shed, the garage or in a forgotten box in the basement.
Gazelle
The Gazelle was originally developed as a lightweight training shoe and was used as such until the late 1970s. There were different versions with different soles.
Today it is a lifestyle product and it is impossible to imagine the fashion world without it.
This particular specimen was a gift from Adi Dassler to his son-in-law Dr. Hanns-Wolf Baenkler, who used to do sports with Adi.
Stan Smith
At the Adidas 70th anniversary celebrations on the new premises in Herzogenaurach, the Baenkler family met the former tennis pro Stan Smith and of course had a pair of the famous shoes autographed right away - after all, Stan was a guest at the Hotel HerzogsPark several times and was always very happy.
Today one of the most famous sneakers in the world, made well-known in collaboration with the American tennis pro and namesake, developed as a tennis shoe in 1965 under the name Robert Haillet.
„The Kids think I am a shoe!“ (Stan Smith)
Shoe Gerd Mueller
Of course, a special shoe was dedicated to the record goalscorer and world champion known as the “bomber of the nation”. Gerd Mueller and Adi Dassler had more in common than just friendship. They learned a lot from each other and discussed passionately with each other. Gerd Mueller was a frequent guest in Herzogenaurach. He examined the latest models with Adi and enjoyed the famous hospitality of the Dassler family. Wherever he played throughout his career, the shoes had to come from Adi Dassler.
Jump Shoe
In the past, athletes wore their shoes much longer than today. Athletes often even carried out minor repairs themselves. The feedback from his customers has always been a major incentive for the Adidas founder. He usually developed the shoes together with the athletes, for example to optimize the position of the spikes. Often this collaboration turned into a friendship.
Superstar (shelltoe)
One of the most legendary sneakers ever, in original size. The Lego model 10282 was officially presented on June 15th, 2021.
The shoe was introduced in 1970 as a basketball shoe. He spread mainly through the players of the NBA; it became a classic primarily through the hip hop scene, especially Run DMC. Some of the models are so rare that collectors are easily willing to pay 4-digit sums.
This shoe not only symbolizes skilful handicrafts, in the spirit of Adi Dassler, but also shows the transfer of the past into the present.
