• About Company
  • Timeline

    • "Our History Has Always Been About The Road Ahead"

      About Company

      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.

    • 1900

      • The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company is founded in Akron, Ohio. First factory opened two years later and employs 12 men.

      Founded Firestone
      1903

      • 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.

      Firestone 1903
      1930

      • 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 1930
      1950

      • Firestone celebrates 50 years in business. Grown from a small company to a worldwide organization that employs more than 70,000 people.

      Firestone 1950
      1974

      • 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.

      Firestone 1974
      1975

      • 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.

      Firestone 1975
      1988

      • Bridgestone and Firestone announce a joint tire-manufacturing venture. The matchup works. One year later, plans are announced to merge into a single corporation.

      Firestone 1988
      1992

      • As part of the overall reorganization due to the Bridgestone/Firestone merger, we move our corporate headquarters from Akron, Ohio to Nashville, Tennessee.

      Firestone 1992
      2000

      • 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.

      Firestone 2000
      2016

      • 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.

      Firestone 2016