The history of the brand
The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company began in 1898, when founder Frank A. Seiberling purchased the company’s first production plant using money he borrowed from his brother-in-law. Naming the company after Charles Goodyear, the pioneer who discovered the process of vulcanisation, Seiberling also fashioned the distinctive winged-foot trademark based on a statue of Mercury he kept in his home. Though the symbol has since been altered over the years, it remains a recognisable signature for Goodyear till this very day.
From a rubber company…
It wasn’t an easy start though. Goodyear’s rubber and cotton had to be transported from halfway around the world to a landlocked town that had only limited rail transportation. With just 13 employees, Goodyear production began on November 21, 1898, with a line of bicycle and carriage tyres, horseshoe pads and poker chips. After the first full month of business, sales amounted to $8,246 – a great success.
Since the first bicycle tyre rolled off its production line in 1898, Goodyear has continued to strive to become 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". Just ten years later, company fulfilled this vision and became the world's largest rubber company in 1926.
Goodyear’s legendary early years set the tone that continues to be felt in all aspects of the company, and in its relationship with its customers.
…to a global brand
When you look at the global Goodyear brand today — 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 one of the world's largest tyre companies, with a presence on six continents. The company also produces several other well-respected brand names including Dunlop, Kelly, Fulda, Lee, Sava and Debica. 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 car tyres and other automotive products, but also in artificial hearts and joints, adhesives, artificial turf for playgrounds and food packaging, to name only a few.
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 honours scientists and engineers who have made outstanding innovations.
Beyond rubber
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.
Goodyear Milestones
For over a hundred years, Goodyear has been at the forefront of tyre technology. Through advanced research and manufacturing practices, Goodyear continues to push the boundaries of innovation and remains One Revolution Ahead.
1898 Frank Seiberling starts the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. He chooses to name it in honour of the inventor Charles Goodyear.
1908 Henry Ford's Model T, fitted with Goodyear tyres, is a sensation with middle class consumers. 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 safely to the moon and back.
1971 Goodyear tyres are the first tyres to land on the Moon.
1992 The Goodyear Aquatred’s revolutionary design makes it a hit with consumers.
1998 Goodyear celebrates its 100th anniversary.
2001 Goodyear launches Trinuum Technology, the integration of its three main engineering and technical centres from around the world.
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 Goodyear and NASCAR celebrate their 50th anniversary together. Goodyear is the longest-running sponsor of the sport.
2005 The cutting-edge RunOnFlat tyre becomes commercially available. Nevertheless, Goodyear still looks for ways to upgrade and enhance this revolutionary technology.
2007 Goodyear introduces Eagle F1 Asymmetric in Germany, garnering multiple accolades.
2008 Launched Goodyear Assurance with DuPont "KEVLAR".
2008 First to introduce International series Formula Drift to Singapore.
2009 Launched the first Goodyear Racing Zone branded retail store in Singapore.
2009 Goodyear and NASA invent "Spring Tyre" for moon - an energy efficient tyre that would not go flat.
2010 Singapore corporate website overhaul with user-friendly functions. The integration of product information and services to provide a one-stop interactive tyre portal for Goodyear's consumers and trade partners.
2010 First issue of the bi-monthly Goodyear Tyres "magazine-style" newsletter was launched in January 2010. An effort to reach out to trade partners and consumers, for them to stay updated with Goodyear Singapore news and events.