In celebration of Goodyear’s 111th anniversary, the company is recognizing its most significant moments in history with a compilation of “Goodyear’s top 111 innovations, inspirations and historic firsts.”
“The list reflects Goodyear’s pioneering spirit of innovation throughout the years, which has been felt across the earth, the skies and even the moon,” says Jean-Claude Kihn, senior vice president and chief technical officer.
“Innovation is what has made Goodyear what it is today,” Kihn continues. “Not only is innovation an important part of our past, but it’s even more so our goal for the future.”
The company was founded on Aug. 29, 1898 by Frank Seiberling in Akron, Ohio.
Some of the company’s more memorable milestones include:
• 1901: Goodyear adopts the wingfoot trademark, saying it will help the company circle the Earth.
• 1908: The All-Weather tread design is introduced. The diamond-shaped studded pattern would be used for more than 40 years with only minor modifications.
• 1918: The Wingfoot Express makes the first cross-country trucking journey from Boston to San Francisco. It was also the first truck to feature a sleeper cab.
• 1920: Goodyear Hall (a center containing an auditorium, classrooms, recreational facilities and the state’s largest gymnasium at the time) is constructed in Akron. A dream of future CEO P.W. Litchfield, “the center made Goodyear a pioneer of employee wellness and education.”
• 1925: The company’s first commercial blimp, the Pilgrim, debuts. The airship is 50,000 cubic feet and is the first non-rigid craft to use helium.
• 1947: The company establishes one of the earliest industrial programs to encourage protection of the environment, the Goodyear Conservation Awards recognizing resource management. In 1973, Keep America Beautiful, Inc. would select the company’s environmental improvement program as the nation’s best.
• 1963: The Orange Bowl becomes the first live sporting event to be feature nationally televised shots from a Goodyear blimp.
• 1970: The company’s tires land on the moon as part of the Apollo 14 mission.
• 1977: The Tiempo, the first tire designed for year-round use in all climates, is introduced. It would become the most successful tire in company history, selling 3.5 million in the first year.
• 1991: The company launches the Aquatred.
• 2009: The new Assurance Fuel Max tires “help save consumers gas money by reducing rolling resistance.”
For the entire list, including historic photos and videos, visit http://tr.im/GoodyearInnovation.
