About

Goodyear Company

The Goodyear Tire started in 1898 with just 13 workers producing bicycle and carriage tires. From that first bicycle tire, Goodyear quickly grew to become the world's largest tire company, a title it earned in 1916 when it adopted the slogan "More people ride on Goodyear tires than on any other kind."


Today, Goodyear has facilities across the world and annual sales of more than $15 billion. In addition to Goodyear-brand tires, we produce other well-respected international brand names, including Dunlop, Kelly, Fulda, Sava and Debica, and our non-tire business provides rubber products and polymers for a variety of markets.

  • 1839 - 1919
  • 1920 - 1939
  • 1940 - 1959
  • 1960 - 1979
  • 1980 - 1999
  • 2000 - Today

    • 1839. The Charles Goodyear Story

      In the winter of 1839, Charles Goodyear accidentally discovers that the addition of heat and sulphur alters the consistency of rubber, later to be known as the vulcanization process.

      1898. Goodyear's Beginnings

      Original strawboard factory in Akron, Ohio
      Frank Seiberling borrows $3,500 from his brother-in-law Lucius Miles for the down payment needed to buy an abandoned strawboard factory on the banks of the Little Cuyahoga River in Akron, Ohio, founding The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. The remainder would be paid in four yearly installments of $2,500.

      1900. The Origin of Wingfoot

      A meeting to discuss the idea of a suitable trademark is held in August 1900. Among the sketches prepared for the meeting is one using the winged foot of Mercury.

      1901. First advertisement in Saturday Evening Post with Wingfoot trademark.

      1903. First Tubeless Tire

      Paul Litchfield granted patent on first tubeless automobile tire.

      1907. Goodyear Tires on the Model T

      1,200 sets of tires sold to Henry Ford for use on Model T automobile.

      1909. The first pneumatic rubber airplane tire

      In 1909, Goodyear created the first pneumatic rubber airplane tire to replace sled runners and bicycle tires

      1910. Goodyear Expands Internationally

      Company's first subsidiary and plant outside of the U.S. acquired in Bowmanville, Ontario, Canada.

      1916. The World's Largest Tire Company

      Pneumatic Truck Tires
      Goodyear becomes world's largest tire company, initiates slogan "More people ride on Goodyear tires than on any other kind."

      1917. The Introduction of the Blimp

      Goodyear builds its first blimp.
      This 1918 Goodyear Heights bus was one of the first bus lines in the country
    • The cars have evolved a bit since Jimmy Murphy's car in the 1922 races

      1923. Balloon Tires Introduced

      1925. Blimp Takes Flight Using Helium

      50,000-cubic-foot blimp, the Pilgrim, is the first commercial non-rigid airship to use helium.

      Very hands-on marketing at the Goodyear dealerships in 1927

      1928. Goodyear Builds Blimps for the Navy

      Company awarded contract to build rigid airships Akron and Macon for the U.S. Navy.

      This 1930s Chevy is ready to roll
      Race Car, 1932
      Goodyear snow or mud tires, like these original versions shown here in 1934

      1937. First Synthetic Rubber Tire

      Goodyear builds and tests first American-made synthetic rubber tire.

    • 1942. Goodyear Builds Fighter Planes

      Company awarded contract to build Corsair fighter planes.

      1947. First Nylon Tires Developed

      1949. Tires on TV

      Television first used for advertising with Goodyear sponsorship of The Goodyear Review, hosted by Paul Whiteman.

      E.J. Thomas, president, and P.W. Litchfield, chairman, with Goodyear's 650,000,000th tire in 1955

      1956. Goodyear Takes to the Track

      Full line of stock car racing tires marketed.

    • 1963. Tire Production Hits One Billion

      Goodyear produces its billionth tire.


      "Go, Go, Goodyear," advertising theme announced.

      One of the very first Goodyear Indy tire tests at the Hotel Tropicana Special in 1963

      1965. Full Range of Radial-ply Tires

      Radial-ply tires made available in a full range of sizes to all auto manufacturers.

      1967. Custom Wide Tread Polyglas Announced

      Custom Wide Tread Polyglas tire announced, combining best characteristics of bias-ply tires, radial-ply tires, and the popular "wide footprint."

      1971. Goodyear Takes Outerspace

      First tires on the moon (Apollo 14) supplied by Goodyear.

      1972. Custom Steelgard Radial Introduced

      Custom Steelgard Radial tire introduced — the only steel-belted radial accepted by all U.S. carmakers for their 1973 models.

      1977. First All-Season Tire Introduced

      Goodyear introduces two notable advances in tire design; Tiempo, the first all-season tire, and the revolutionary fuel-saving elliptic tire.

      1978. Big Plans for Akron Technical Center

      Plans announced to turn an idle Akron tire plant into a new $75-million Technical Center.

    • 1981. Eagle Introduced in Daytona

      New family of Eagle high-performance tires introduced at Daytona, Florida.

      1983. Three Billion Tires Made

      Goodyear's three billionth tire is manufactured at the Danville, Virginia truck tire plant.

      1983. Radial Tires for Aircraft Developed

      Goodyear announces development of radial tires for aircraft.

      1984. Vector Introduced

      Vector, the third-generation all-season radial auto tire, is introduced.

      1987. The Spirit of Akron

      A new airship is christened The Spirit of Akron in recognition of the community's support for the company. Victory at the Indy 500. The Eagle radial racing tire makes its debut and carries Al Unser Sr. to victory in the Indianapolis 500.

      1991. Four New Innovations Introduced

      Four tires are introduced in an unprecedented launch: the Aquatred, Invicta GFE, Wrangler GSA, and Eagle GSC. The new, highly innovative Aquatred tire garners praise and acceptance from the media and consumers alike.

      1992. The Official Tire of NASCAR and NHRA

      Deal signed with NASCAR, making Goodyear the "exclusive tire supplier" of NASCAR's top three race divisions.

      1998. A Centennial Celebration

      Goodyear celebrates its first 100 years in business.

      1999. The World's Largest Tire Company

      Goodyear announces a $1-billion global alliance with Japan's Sumitomo Rubber Industries, which has rights to the Dunlop tire brand in much of the world, to establish six joint ventures in North America, Europe, and Japan. Goodyear becomes the world's largest tire company when the alliance takes effect.

    • 2004. New Assurance Innovations

      Assurance tires featuring TripleTred and ComforTred technology introduced.

      2005. Instant Puncture Repair for Commercial Tires

      Duraseal commercial tire technology that repairs punctures when they occur is introduced.

      2009. Goodyear Partners with NASA (Again)

      Goodyear and NASA develop an airless "spring tire" for use on Mars and the moon.

      2011. New Beginnings at Goodyear Headquarters

      Ground broken on new global headquarters in Akron Air Maintenance Technology Announced. Goodyear and NASA develop an airless "spring tire" for use on Mars and the moon.

      2011. New Beginnings at Goodyear Headquarters

      Ground broken on new global headquarters in Akron.

      2011. Air Maintenance Technology Announced

      Development of Goodyear's Air Maintenance Technology announced.

      2013. New Headquarters Open for Business

      Goodyear holds the grand opening of the new global headquarters in Akron.