Adidas
Jesse Owens' inspiration ran beyond black athletes, as it effected all athletes and entrepreneurs. Adi Dassler, a German entrepreneur, offered Jesse his handmade leather shoes with nails for spikes to use during the 1936 Olympics. This action by Adi was a profound statement about Adi's confidence in Jesse. Adi was placing himself in a risky position wth the German government by offering his German shoe to an American, let alone a Black American. Adi sent Jesse three prototypes shoes. Jesse tried them and decided it was those shoes or none at all. At the conclusion of the Olympics with Jesse having won with 4 gold medals, the shoe he wore became the desire of many future track athletes. Adi's shoes became known as Adidas, today a multi-billion dollar company. Many other companies followed Adidas developing the track shoe. Jesse's performance at the Olympics outfitted with a simple leather shoe inspired people of many nations, colors, and ventures.