"Our History Has Always Been About The Road Ahead"
It started with a horse race.
When founder, Harvey Firestone, took his new rubber-tired buggy to the track one day in the early 1890s, he won. Big time. Not only did he experience the superior performance of rubber tires for the first time, he got a taste for leading the competition. And that’s exactly what Firestone has been doing for more than 115 years.
The Firestone Tire Company was founded on a determination to offer the quality and service it takes to win the race, wherever that race may be. It’s how Firestone made the non-skid tread pattern an industry standard — in 1909. It’s how Firestone helped drivers win the Indianapolis 500 more than 60 times and counting. And it’s why Firestone still a household name generations after that historic horse race.
But make no mistake: There’s plenty of roads ahead. And Firestone looking forward to writing history for a long time coming.
The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company is founded in Akron, Ohio. First factory opened two years later and employs 12 men.
Firestone begins producing its own tires. By 1906, sales pass the million-dollar mark and the brand is on its way to becoming a household name.
The first commercially sponsored musical program on radio, The Voice of Firestone, hits the air. The program’s run lasts for thirty-five years and helps to launch the careers of some of America’s best known entertainers.
Firestone celebrates 50 years in business. Grown from a small company to a worldwide organization that employs more than 70,000 people.
The first steel radial with run-flat capability is introduced by Firestone. It’s capable of continuing for more than 50 miles at up to 40 miles per hour after a flat.
At 75 years old, Firestone has grown into a multi-billion dollar, diversified, international manufacturing and merchandising enterprise. Firestone can be found in 28 countries and six continents.
Bridgestone and Firestone announce a joint tire-manufacturing venture. The matchup works. One year later, plans are announced to merge into a single corporation.
As part of the overall reorganization due to the Bridgestone/Firestone merger, we move our corporate headquarters from Akron, Ohio to Nashville, Tennessee.
100'th anniversary. Firestone is now part of one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world with 8,000 different tires for a variety of vehicles.
In honor of the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500, we design a commemorative racing tire for use in the race itself. The race is won by Alexander Rossi, driving on—you guessed it—Firestone tires.