Reebok history:

1890
Reebok started up in the United Kingdom way back in 1890 as a small family business! As is the case today, a market niche was exploited: athletes wanted to run faster. Joseph William Foster made the first running shoes with spikes in them and by 1895 the business was making hand-made shoes for top runners and before long J.W. Foster and sons were producing running shoes for an international clientele.

1924
By now the company was well-established and the running shoes were worn in the Summer Games by the athletes who were later celebrated in the famous film "Chariots of Fire" which went on to win an Oscar in a later version filmed in 1981.

1958 to 1980
The year when two J.W. Foster's grandsons start up the brand Reebok which is named after the African gazelle. Reebok doesn't really make a name for itself before Paul Fireman sees Reebok shoes at an international trade show. He is convinced by the shoe and acquires a distribution license for North America. Three running shoes are introduced to the US market in the same year - at $ 60 the most expensive running shoes on the market.
Reebok withdraws from South Africa in support of the movement to end apartheid in 1986.
The history of Reebok is characterised by their business practice to support efforts that ensure dignity and rights for all human beings.
Amnesty International invites Reebok to be the sponsor of its Human Rights Now! World Tour. Thus inspired Reebok places human rights at the centre of its corporate culture. REEBOK HUMAN RIGHTS AWARD is established in the programme.

1980s
Reebok experiences a true explosion of sales in this decade with all its innovations. The first hit is the introduction of the first Rebook athletic shoe designed especially for women. A shoe for a new fitness exercise called aerobic dance. Thus FreestyleTM is born! Product extensions follow. The Freestyle is now a Reebok "Classic" and the best-selling shoe of all times.
In 1985 Reebok completes its IPO, its stock symbol is RBK. It expands into overseas markets and is now available in over 170 countries. The pump® technology, which continues to this day, is introduced in the late 1980s. Another product launched is the Step Reebok®. It is first launched nationally in 1989, designed for an athlete who has to step 'backwards' to cure a knee injury.. In its first ten years Step Reebok becomes an international fitness phenomenon when 16 countries start using the step programme to stay in shape.
Reebok creates a human rights department, the first of its kind in the private sector.
President Jimmy Carter joins the Reebok Human Rights Board of Advisors.

1990s
Reebok moves on from fitness to sports. It creates a mass of footwear and apparel for football, baseball, soccer, track and field sports. Reebok signs top athletes to promote the basket ball shoes and apparel and tennis shoes and apparel, among these Allen Iverson and Venus Williams. This is so successful that Reebok and the NBA's MVP (most valuable player) sign a lifetime contract. The deal guarantees that Iverson remains a Reebok endorsed athlete throughout his professional career.
Reebok returns to South Africa at the urging of Nelson Mandela and commits 8 % of pre-tax profits to youth programmes.
Iqbal Masih, the bonded child labourer from Pakistan, receives the Reebok Youth in Action Award in 1994.
Reebok begins soccer ball production in a factory that guarantees manufacturing without child labour in 1997.

2000
Reebok becomes ever more involved in the fitness of athletes. Core training and the Reebok Core Board is introduced. The idea behind all this is to offer an exercise board with three-dimensional action to train both the athlete and the man on the street. It can be used in exercise classes or even when playing with children.
With the turn of the century RBK acquires one exclusive license after the other.
Reebok and the NFL announce the formation of an exclusive partnership. NFL grants Reebok a 10-year exclusive license beginning in the 2002 NFL season.
In August 2001 Reebok forms a 10-year strategic partnership with the NBA.
In February 2002 Reebok and the Indy Racing League (IRL) forms a multi-year partnership. Reebok is the official outfitter of the IRL. At the same time Reebok launches RbK – a collection of street-inspired footwear and apparel. Fashion for the young which reflects their attitude to life – cool and edgy, authentic and aspirational.
The global marketing campaign "Sounds & Rhythm"
The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) honours Reebok with the Corporate Social Responsibility Award in 2003.
In February 2005 the 'I am what I am' campaign is launched globally.