Brooks – Leading American Running Brand Since 1914 Brooks is an American brand founded in 1914 in Philadelphia. Initially, the company produced bathing shoes, baseball shoes, and various budget-friendly sports footwear. In the 1970s, Brooks shifted focus toward running shoes, introducing innovative technologies – many of which are still used today. At the turn of the millennium, Brooks made a strategic decision to focus exclusively on running. The production of all other types of shoes was discontinued, and investments in product development increased significantly. The result? Since 2011, Brooks has been the market leader in specialty running stores across the U.S.