Karhu is Born 1916 — Ab sportartiklar Oy establishes a small workshop in down- town Helsinki where locally sourced birch is transformed into the first products: javelins, skis and discuses. Running shoes are also developed and land on the feet of Hannes Kolehmainen, the first “Flying Finn”, and Ville Ritola.

Flying Finns — The company name is Karhu, which is Finnish for bear. “The Flying Finns” dominate tracks around the world, garnering recognition for Karhu running shoes. Oh, and a guy named Paavo Nurmi returns back home with nine Olympic gold medals.