Firestone Tire Information

According to the Firestone Centennial website, the Firestone company was created by Harvey Firestone in an attempt to become involved in the developing automobile industry in the year 1900. Throughout the 20th century Firestone was one of the leading U.S. tire makers before becoming one of the largest tire manufacturers in the world when the company merged with the Japanese Bridgestone Corporation.

  1. History

    • When the Firestone Rubber and Tire Company was formed in 1900, the company did not manufacture the tires they sold. The Ohio History Central website explains that until 1903 Firestone simply attached rubber tires to the metal wheels of carriages. Following the beginning of rubber manufacture by Firestone, the first large order was received from the Ford Motor Company in 1905. Ohio History Central explains that the size of the Firestone operation grew in size with the Ford order from which Firestone sold over 28,000 tires and made over $1 million in tire sales.

    Racing

    • The Bridgestone company website describes the first automobile racing use of Firestone tires taking place in 1909 during the Indianapolis 300, a precursor to the Indianapolis 500. Barney Oldfield drove the car fitted with Firestone tires and following the race painted the slogan "My only life insurance is Firestone Tires" on the side of his car. Race tires were not produced in 1909; regular road tires were used on race cars.

    Indy 500

    • According to Firestone Centennial the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 was won by a car driven by Ray Harroun using Firestone tires. Throughout the first half of the 20th century, cars driven on Firestone tires dominated the Indianapolis 500 with every race run between 1920 and 1966 won by cars using Firestone. Following a break by Firestone from Indy racing, a car using Firestone tires won the 2008 Indianapolis 500.

    Championships

    • Firestone has supplied tires to teams in a variety of motor sports throughout its history. The Bridgestone corporate website explains that the Formula 1 World Championship was won by Graham Hill in 1968 and Emerson Fitipaldi in 1972 using Firestone tires. Firestone has also supplied tires for teams in the Nascar championship.

    Return to Racing

    • The Firestone corporate website explains that Firestone halted its supply of racing tires to cars in Indy Racing in 1974. Following the merger with Bridgestone in 1988, a return to Indy Racing was announced in May 1993. A year of testing followed in 1994 before Firestone tires were used during the 1995 Indy Racing season, and Firestone continued to supply tires through the 2009 season.