2024.07.10
The History of "Russell Athletic," the First to Make Sweatshirts in the World, Alongside Major American Sports
You may have seen T-shirts or sweatshirts featuring the R mark with an eagle motif, called "Eagle R." Considered one of America's iconic brands, RUSSELL ATHLETIC.
Let's hear from Yoshinori Ito, Senior Brand Manager of FTL Japan K.K., about the long history of the brand, which began with school sportswear and then leaped forward to become a major supplier for American professional sports.
Called the "Inventors of the Sweat Shirts"
"RUSSELL ATHLETIC was founded in 1902 in Alexander City, Alabama, USA. The founder was Benjamin Russell, and initially, the company focused on making women's undergarments that were connected in one piece."In the 1920s, the company began producing various athletic wear, including gym clothes, and this is when RUSSELL ATHLETIC made the first sweatshirt in the world.
"As the story goes, the son of Russell, who played American football, found wool training clothes uncomfortable and asked his father to make them from cotton.
"It is said that the name 'sweatshirt,' referring to 'a shirt that absorbs sweat,' was also coined by Russell. Because of this, RUSSELL ATHLETIC later came to be known as the 'Inventors of the Sweat Shirts.'"
Journey into College & High School Sports Uniforms
This is how RUSSELL ATHLETIC met with sports, which led to the expansion of its brand. Another significant invention followed the sweatshirt."In the 1930s, the company began supplying athletic wear to bookstores at colleges and high schools. Additionally, RUSSELL ATHLETIC became the first in the world to create what is now known as the American rubber print, or screen print.
"With this printing technology, sports uniforms with team names and 'college sweatshirts' featuring school names began to emerge."
Sweatpants Endured Through World War II
In the 1940s, World War II broke out, and much like other American sweat brands such as "Champion" and "Healthknit," RUSSELL ATHLETIC began supplying products to the U.S. military."There is an advertisement I want you to see. It was made post-war and features sweatpants supplied to the U.S. military during World War II with the catchphrase 'Sweatpants that Endured World War II.' The ad sends a message about the toughness of the products."
Becoming a Global Brand & Supplier for Major American Sports
By the 1980s, RUSSELL ATHLETIC had become widely known across the United States. This period marked its expansion as a supplier for professional sports leagues, eventually covering major American sports and becoming a globally renowned brand."In 1983, the company supplied uniforms to 24 out of 28 NFL teams. From 1992 to 2004, RUSSELL ATHLETIC was the supplier for Major League Baseball (MLB), starting with uniforms for 15 out of 30 teams and eventually handling uniforms for almost all the teams. By this time, the RUSSELL ATHLETIC brand name had become globally known, beyond the United States."
"We have in our possession autographed sweatshirts and uniforms from famous players like former 'LOS ANGELES DODGERS' player Hideo Nomo, former 'NEW YORK YANKEES' player Hideki Matsui, and former 'SEATTLE MARINERS' player Kazuhiro Sasaki, known as the 'Great Demon.'"
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