Top 10 Brands that Supported the Nazi Party
These brands are famous worldwide. They are ones that we all know and even use. However, despite their convenience today, they all hold a much more sinister past. You see, these brands all had ties to the Nazi party.
The soda that was created by Coca-Cola, a drink that we've all had at some point in our lives, was actually invented in Germany by Max Keith. When Coca-Cola first decided to try expanding its brand globally, it was a hit worldwide, thus making it an American staple. Max Keith wanted a similar drink that was popular worldwide but made in Germany.
However, after the Second World War, Coca-Cola parted ways with Germany. That didn't stop Keith from creating Fanta, using leftover fruit scraps from factories. With his connections to the Nazi Party, he was able to market Fanta across Germany and even Europe. However, after the war was over, he was forced to hand over Fanta to the U.S. Fanta has now rebranded itself to distance itself from its past.
Volkswagen is a German automotive manufacturer founded in 1937. Headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, the company produces a wide range of vehicles, from sedans and hatchbacks to SUVs and commercial trucks. Volkswagen is one of the world's largest car manufacturers and focuses on creating cars for the... read more Created in the '30s, Hitler wanted the government to create a vehicle for the common working-class Germans. Working with Volkswagen, they created the Volkswagen Beetle, which has become a well-known car today. This car was catered to working-class Germans. Volkswagen did use forced labor from concentration camps near their factories.
BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke in German, or Bavarian Motor Works in English) is a German multinational company which currently produces luxury automobiles and motorcycles, and also produced aircraft engines until 1945. Another car company that was involved with the Nazi Party, the owners had some form of relationship with Hitler. BMW also used forced labor, and its vehicles were supplied to the Nazis.
The Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker headquartered in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. Henry Ford was famously known for his anti-Semitism, which is no surprise that he had some form of relationship with Hitler. Despite producing cars for the Allies, he also supplied cars for the Nazis.
Adidas AG (stylized as adidas since 1949) is a German multinational corporation, founded and headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, that designs and manufactures shoes, clothing and accessories. It is the largest sportswear manufacturer in Europe, and the second largest in the world, after Nike... read more His first name "Adi" is short for "Adolf".
Puma SE, branded as Puma, is a German multinational corporation that designs and manufactures athletic and casual footwear, apparel and accessories, which is headquartered in Herzogenaurach, Bavaria, Germany. Puma is the third largest sportswear manufacturer in the world. The company was founded in... read more Created by Rudolf Dassler, who was famously in a rivalry with his brother, Adi. While both brothers had a brand of shoes together in 1920, they later went their separate ways for reasons that are the subject of various theories.
Hugo Boss became a member of the Nazi Party and designed uniforms and brown shirts for them. Like Volkswagen, Hugo Boss used the hands of Holocaust victims for production. After his death, the brand continued under new leadership. Hugo Boss has now funded reparations for the forced labor victims. As of today, it has become a popular luxury clothing brand.
Hitler's top economic adviser had connections to Kodak. He even tried to convince Kodak to fire Jewish employees. Germany's Kodak branch also relied on forced labor. Kodak's branches in Switzerland, Spain, and Portugal were also involved in doing business with the Nazis.
The Newcomers
Contrary to popular belief, Krispy Kreme itself did not support the Nazis. The family that owns Krispy Kreme had ancestors who were members of the Nazi Party and allegedly profited off forced labor. As of today, Krispy Kreme has apologized for its association with the Party and has donated money to charity.
Chanel S.A. is a French, privately held company owned by Alain and Gérard Wertheimer, grandsons of Pierre Wertheimer, who was an early business partner of the couturière Gabrielle Bonheur Chanel.