Karhu Sportswear – from 1916

1916 Ab sportartiklar Oy establishes a small workshop in downtown Helsinki and begins crafting locally sourced birch into skis, javelins, and discuses. The workshop eventually develops running shoes which land on the feet of Ville Ritola and Hannes Kolehmainen, the first “Flying Finn”.

1920 The company name changes to Karhu, the Finnish word for “bear”. The Flying Finns dominate tracks around the world garnering much recognition for Karhu, and Paavo Nurmi wins nine Olympic gold medals in the now famed Finnish footwear.

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