August 3, 1900 – Firestone Tire & Rubber is founded
On this day in 1900 Harvey Firestone founded Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio. The company’s original mission was to supply pneumatic tires for wagons and buggies, but the emerging automobile market soon altered the course. In 1906 Harvey Firestone negotiated a deal with his friend Henry Ford to become the Ford Motor Company’s original equipment supplier of tires, sealing Firestone’s early success.
Above: Left to right, Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, John Burroughs and Harvey S. Firestone in 1918 in West Virginia.Top: Harvey Firestone with tires.
Aside from the deal with Ford, another significant victory for Firestone came in 1911 when Ray Harroun won the first Indianapolis 500 on Firestone tires. The Marmon Wasp driven by Harroun was also the only vehicle that did...
