The San Francisco 49ers started as a football club in 1949, playing for the All America Football Conference. The 49ers would become the second best team in the league until it dissolved after the 49ers first season, and they joined the NFL ranks along with the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Colts. The San Francisco 49ers get their name from the California gold seekers who stampeded the area in 1849.

The 49ers struggled during their first few NFL seasons, but would enjoy success as early as 1957 securing an 8–4 record and heading to the divisional playoffs for the first time. But the 49ers would be overcome by the Lions and would sit out of the playoffs for another 13 years.

Over the course of 13 years from 1957, the 49ers only averaged .500 for wins. One important detail from these years however is that the team incorporated the shotgun formation into plays for the first time ever. In 1961 the 49ers got off to a 4–1 start using the formation. However teams eventually put more players on the line of scrimmage to rush the quarterback combating the quarterback’s extra throw time. The shotgun formation has been used in football ever since and is a standard formation for any level of play.

1970 saw the 49ers win their first ever divisional title against Oakland. The 49ers would go on to defeat the Minnesota Vikings and would be against Dallas for the NFC Championship game. San Francisco lost the match. 17–10 giving the Cowboys their first conference championship.

The 49ers would dominate the league in the 1980's and early 1990's, winning Super Bowls in 1984, 1988, 1989, also 1994. Wide receiver Jerry Rice and cornerback Ronnie Lott, and QB Joe Montana carried the team to success multiple times. From this 1980's and 1990's. The 49ers have become one of the most successful teams in the NFL.