Website design By BotEap.comThe company’s namesake, Charles Goodyear, invented vulcanized rubber in 1939. However, he had very little to do with the Goodyear tire company. His name was chosen for the company as a tribute to his amazing discovery.

Website design By BotEap.comFrank Seiberling founded the company by purchasing a production facility with money lent to him by his brother-in-law. Goodyear production began in November 1898 and was perfectly timed to coincide with the new bicycle trend. They did very well in creating tires for the millions of new bikes. They had a famous slogan at the time: “More people ride on Goodyear tires than any other kind.”

Website design By BotEap.comA huge contract for the company, from Ford Motors, propelled the company to great heights. They were the official tires for the Ford Model T and we all know how successful it was at the time. Goodyear quickly became the world’s largest tire producer and became a well-recognized household name in the early 20th century. They made tires for airplanes, cars, machines, you name it. They had developed a kind of prestige and recognition rarely achieved by brands at that time. By the early 1900s, they were recognized as the world’s largest rubber producer.

Website design By BotEap.comIt was then that the company began to diversify and expand its operations into a few different industries, such as space travel and nuclear power production. Some of these were commercial failures, but many were far from it. Goodyear was, in fact, one of the main manufacturers of the space shuttle and also produced aircraft for the US military. It was around this time that Goodyear reinvested a substantial sum in renovating its original facility in Akron, Ohio.

Website design By BotEap.comThe Goodyear blimp did wonders for the company’s image and marketing and is almost more famous than its logo. They remain the most successful tire manufacturer in Formula One with the most wins and championships to their credit. They left Formula One in 1998, but are still a major player in Nascar.

Website design By BotEap.comMichelin and Bridgestone have done a great job of becoming serious competitors to the Goodyear brand and knocking it off pole position. So while Goodyear may no longer be at the top of the list, its name, prestige and history live on. Forbes magazine rated them as one of the most valuable companies in the world. Some of the subsidiaries currently under the Goodyear umbrella are: Sava, Fierce, Fulda, Dunlop, Bluestreak and Regetta.