The Interesting History of Goodyear Tires

Goodyear Tires go way way back a whole century and then some, but many people often do not understand the vast history of the Goodyear Tire Brand they often run across daily. There are plenty of fun facts about the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company that may just surprise you, so hang in there why we give you a rundown on the interesting history of GoodYear Tires.

How it All Started

Some people may not know that Frank Seiberling is the original founder of the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company established in 1898 in Akron, Ohio. Although it is name-saked after the inventor of vulcanized rubber, Charles Good Year, Seiberling financed the funds to buy the company’s first manufacturing facility. It was only homed with about 13 factory workers, but it rapidly grew as the leading producer of rubber-based goods including, hoses, automobile tires, bicycle tires, and more.

A few presidents of the company came and went until finally Seiberling took the spot of CEO from 1906-1921. In his time there, Seiberling designed the famous Goodyear Tires logo that is still used to this day. During the first two decades of its establishment, the company innovated many new products and expanded their product lines to service & manufacture airplane tires. In 1919, The famous Good Year Blimp was introduced and became an icon in Goodyear’s legendary history.

The Great GoodYear Strike

Although, the Good Year company was thriving in the industry, its factory employees were facing bad conditions in the workplace, horrific wage cuts, and no workforce perks.

To fight the issues they were dealing with, in 1935 they set-up the United Rubber Workers Union and within a year they formed a mass strike against the rubber industry in Akron, Ohio. They also protested with picket lines and by a sit-down strike. The police of Akron cold not even contain the workers and refuted making more efforts to combat the strike. The outcome of this strike made the rubber industry and all of the tire companies including GoodYear & BF Goodrich & Michelin tires better accommodate their workers by providing them fair wages, shorter workdays, and it pioneered the Federal Government passing the Wagner Act- which legalized unions. For more information on Michelin tires coupons and discounts, visit autoservicedeal.com.

These Days: Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company

Despite facing strife with employee strikes and the effects of the depression and other numerous economic setbacks through the years, The Good Year Tires Company is prospering and going strong as still a major leader in rubber & tire manufacturing industry. As of a few years back, the company’s net worth is over 15 billion dollars and it has factories all over the World that employ more than 92,000 workers.