Goodyear Tires - History and Innovation

World renown tire and rubber company Goodyearthought of Goodyear as the producer of the highest
Tire and Rubber Company, actually considers "13" toquality, most effective brand available. From there,
be a lucky number for them. In 1898, AmericanGoodyear's tires popularity expanded, and thanks to
inventor Frank Seiberling founded the company.their popularity, the company experienced additional
When their first manufacturing plant opened in Akron,growth in the industry.
Ohio, the staff was comprised of 13 employees whoGoodyear Tire and Rubber Company, now a
each played a major role in Goodyear's originalmultinational corporation, branched out into other
products: rubber horseshoe pads, poker chips, andareas. In Ohio in 1956, Goodyear began operation of
bicycle and carriage tires.a nuclear processing plant. A Goodyear subsidiary
Many people are unaware that Charles Goodyear, theformed in the 1970s known as Goodyear Aerospace
inventor of vulcanized rubber in 1839, was not relatedCorporation, from the aircraft designing and
to, or connected in any way to the Goodyear Tiremanufacturing, Goodyear Aircraft Company, was
and Rubber Company. The company was, however,responsible for the crafting and manufacturing of the
named in honor of this important invention, that Mr.space shuttle. As was the trend among other
Seiberling felt was a major addition to the automobilecompanies, Goodyear Converted their first facility in
and rubber industry.Akron into a design and research Technical Center, at
Goodyear tires realized a pivotal moment in 1901,considerable cost.
when a business agreement was made, that wouldOver the many years of the company's life, they
allow Goodyear to supply up and coming car racinghave been responsible for many innovations and a
company Ford Motor, with racing tires. Thelarge number of successes. Goodyear has gained
progressive Model T, of automobile designer Henryworldwide recognition in a variety of profitable and
Ford, would sport a set of Goodyear tires. Everyonemeaningful endeavors, and is now a genuine
knows the rest of this story. Goodyear earned aconglomerate.
worldwide reputation for producing quality tires, whenGoodyear currently finds themselves third on the list
they began manufacturing tires for airplanes in 1909.of the world's top tire manufacturers, behind Michelin
By 1926, Goodyear was recognized as the largestand Bridgestone. It should come as no surprise, then,
rubber manufacturer in the world. When people in thethat individuals looking to purchase tires, will likely
auto industry thought of racing tires back then, theyconsider Goodyear as one of their prime choices.