History of the brand, Innovation and Milestones
   
Driving Relevant Innovation From The Top Down:

"Innovation, quality and a sharp market focus continue to drive Goodyear in the right direction. We believe we are taking the required steps to drive improving future performance."
"Innovative products are the lifeblood of our company."
"Thanks to the capabilities of our scientists, engineers and marketers, we are creating relevant technology that consumers want."

"We believe that we win if we aggressively innovate across all activities of our business."
 
Robert J. Keegan
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer & President
   
 
   

History of the brand
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company started in 1898 when Frank Seiberling purchased the company's first plant using money he borrowed from a brother-in-law. The rubber and cotton had to be transported from halfway around the world, to a landlocked town that had only limited rail transportation. Seiberling named the company after the courageous pioneer Charles Goodyear, the discoverer of vulcanisation. He also determined the distinctive winged-foot trademark that remains a symbolic link with the company's past.
 
   
 
   
From rubber company...
With just 13 workers, Goodyear production began with a product line of bicycle and carriage tyres, horseshoe pads and poker chips. After the first full month of business, sales amounted to $8,246. Since the first bicycle tyre in 1898, Goodyear has pedaled its way towards becoming the world's largest tyre company, a title it earned in 1916 when it adopted the slogan "More people ride on Goodyear tyres than on any other kind". It became the world's largest rubber company in 1926. These legendary early years set the tone which continues to be felt in all aspects of the company and in its relationship with its customers.
... to global brand

When you look today at the global Goodyear brand, with its thousands of breakthroughs, innovations, new inventions, firsts and groundbreaking improvements, you're seeing a reflection of the bold, innovative and down-to-earth character of the company's founders. Today, Goodyear is among the world's largest tyre company, with a presence on six continents. In addition to Goodyear brand tires, it produces several other well-respected brand names including Dunlop, Kelly, Fulda, Lee, Sava and Debica, while its non-tyre business units provide rubber products and polymers for a variety of automotive and industrial markets.


   
 
   
Innovation

Innovation - the continuous flow of creative new ideas, products and materials - has always been at the very core of Goodyear's activities. The company established a major research facility in 1943, which has since received thousands of patents. Major inventions by Goodyear's scientists and technicians have been used not only in tires and automotive products, but also in artificial hearts and joints, adhesives, artificial turf for playgrounds and food packaging, to name only a few. Goodyear Research was the training ground for Paul Flory, a Nobel laureate in the field of polymers. Two research associates have been awarded the Goodyear Medal, the highest award of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, which honors scientists and engineers who have made outstanding innovations. Goodyear Research scientists and engineers today come from all over the world and continue working at the cutting edge of rubber and polymer science. They have also branched out into such diverse fields as computer science, physics, mathematics, engineering mechanics, metallurgy and others to create a myriad of unique materials and processes.

 
Cutting-edge research
Goodyear Research was the training ground for Paul Flory, a Nobel laureate in the field of polymers. Two research associates have been awarded the Goodyear Medal, the highest award of the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society, which honors scientists and engineers who have made outstanding innovations.
 
Rubber and polymer science
Goodyear Research scientists and engineers today come from all over the world and continue working at the cutting edge of rubber and polymer science. They have also branched out into such diverse fields as computer science, physics, mathematics, engineering mechanics, metallurgy and others to create a myriad of unique materials and processes.


   
 
   
Milestones  
   
For well over 100 years Goodyear has been at the forefront of tyre technology and innovation, from Charles Goodyear creating vulcanisation in 1839 to the introduction of Bubble Blade technology in 2004. Through advanced research and manufacturing practices, Goodyear continues to produce tyres that revolutionize the industry and push the boundaries of innovation.

For innovation, technology and performance in tires, Goodyear continues to lead the way and is clearly 'One Revolution Ahead' of the competition.
  

1898

Frank Seilberling founded the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and chose the name "Goodyear" to honour Charles Goodyear.

1908

Henry Ford's Model T, fitted with Goodyear tyres, is a sensation with middle class consumers and car registrations skyrocket.

1964

Using Goodyear tyres, Craig Breedlove becomes the first man to top 600 miles (960km) an hour.

1969

Goodyear Aerospace helps send astronauts to the moon and return them safely to earth.
1971 Goodyear tyres were the first tyre tracks to land onto the Moon.
1992 The Goodyear Aquatreds revolutionary design makes it a hit with consumers and designs.

1998

Goodyear celebrates its 100th year anniversary.

2001

Goodyear launches Trinuum Technology, the integration of its 3 main engineering and technical centres from around the world, including Europe, the USA and Japan.

2003

Goodyear stands at the pinnacle of drag racing, winning the most championships in both the professional and sportsman categories, in the National Hot Rod and International Hot Rod Association competitions.

2004

Marks Goodyear's 50th anniversary of involvement with NASCAR, and as the longest-running sponsor of the sport.

2005

 RunOnFlat
As a cutting-edge technology, RunOnFlat is still undergoing heavy development. While the basic system, consisting of reinforced tires together with a TPMS system, has been developed, tested and is now commercially available, there are more technical innovations and enhancements that are just around the corner.