Reebok’s roots can be traced to 1895, when a small shoe brand called J.W. Foster & Son was founded in northern England. The founder’s sons, Jeff and Joe Foster Jr., branched off to create what would become Reebok. Named for a South African gazelle, Reebok emerged as a runner’s favorite in the early 1970s, but ultimately broke through the competitive sneaker market in 1982 with the Freestyle, a double-Velcro strapped shoe that was the first of its kind to be marketed toward women. From its humble 19th century British origins, Reebok has grown to become an internationally reputed company sported alike by European youth and artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Wiley, and Soulja Boy.