Year
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Event
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1868
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Harvey S. Firestone is born on a farm near Columbiana, Ohio.
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1895
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Firestone marries Idabelle Smith.
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1900
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Firestone incorporates The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Ohio. The company begins selling tires manufactured by others.
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1903
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The first set of rubber tires is manufactured at the Firestone factory in Akron, Ohio.
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1904
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The company develops the first mechanically fastened, straight-sided
pneumatic tire.
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1906
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In its first original equipment sale, Harvey S. Firestone sells 2,000 sets of tires to Henry Ford. This is the largest order of tires for the time.
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1907
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The company develops the "demountable rim" making the repair and replacement of tires easier.
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1908
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Firestone introduces the first non-skid tire.
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1909
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Firestone begins manufacturing tire rims.
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1910
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Firestone profits exceed $1 million for the first time.
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1911
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The inaugural Indianapolis 500 is won on Firestone tires by Ray Harroun.
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1918
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Firestone begins the pioneering "Ship by Truck" movement.
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1919
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The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company of Canada is organized.
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1920
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The company perfectscreates a method of insulating tire cords against internal heat by a process known as "gum-dipping."
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1922
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The company develops the industry's first low-pressure balloon tire.
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1926
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Firestone initiates the now popular one-stop service store program.
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1928
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The company establishes its first overseas tire plant in Brentford, England. Firestone is voted as one of nine "Pioneers of American Industry ." The "Voice of Firestone" radio program debuts.
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1932
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The company develops the first low-pressure tractor tire and starts the "Put the Farm on Rubber" campaign.
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1936
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The Firestone Industrial Products plant is established in Noblesville, Ind.
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1938
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Harvey S. Firestone dies in his sleep at his home in Miami Beach, Fla.
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1939
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The company begins producing tank tracks, airplane fuel cells, gas masks and other military items for the defense program.
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1940
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The company begins developing and producing special tires for combat vehicles. The company's first synthetic rubber plant begins production.
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1942
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The company develops the divided rim for military use. Possibly the first run flat tire, an extra metal band on the rim acts as a support to enable tires to run 100 miles or more after deflation.
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1945
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The Firestone Research building is dedicated in Akron, Ohio.
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1948
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Firestone tires win the 25th Indianapolis 500 in a row.
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1949
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The first NASCAR race (in Charlotte, N.C.) is won on Firestone tires by Jim Roper. The "Voice of Firestone" radio program is simulcast on television.
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1950
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The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company celebrates its 50th anniversary and dedicates a life-size Harvey Firestone Memorial.
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1951
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The company begins producing the Corporal guided missile for the U.S. government.
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1953
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The company introduces the Firestone "500" all-nylon tubeless tire designed for high speed passenger cars. The company does $1 billion in business for the first time.
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1954
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For the first time, the "Voice of Firestone" is telecast in color. The company introduces the tubeless tire for tractors and airplanes.
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1957
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The company dedicates a 7.7 mile test track in Fort Stockton, Texas. The track is used to test tires under a variety of wet and dry conditions.
Firestone develops a high-speed race tire to withstand speeds of 190 miles per hour for the first running of the International 500-mile race at Monza, Italy.
citation needed
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1961
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Firestones acquires the Dayton Tire division from the Dayco Corporation.
citation needed
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1963
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The final "Voice of Firestone" television program airs.
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1964
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The company introduces its first radial tire to the North American market.
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1965
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Art Arfons sets a land speed record of 576.55 mph on Firestone tires. The company introduces the "Super Sports Wide Oval" tire. This effort pioneered the concept of wide low-profile tires which continues today for high-performance cars.
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1968
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Graham Hill becomes the first driver to win the FIA Formula One championship on Firestone tires.
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1971
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The company develops the first American-made steel belted radial tire.
citation needed The company develops the "liquid molded cast tire." It never becomes a commercial success because of the market dominance of the steel-belted radial tire.
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1972
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Ray Elder produces the 568th Firestone win in NASCAR when he takes the checkered flag at Riverside Raceway, June 18, driving a Dodge Charger.
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1972
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Robertson memo regarding The 500: "We are making an inferior quality radial tire which will subject us to belt-edge separation at high mileage"
[1]
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1973
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Harvey S. Firestone, Sr. is inducted into the Automobile Hall of Fame. Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., eldest son of the company founder, dies at age 75.
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1974
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The company announces the Steel Radial 500 ACT (advanced concept tire) providing run flat capability at speeds up to 40 mph.
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1979
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Firestone introduces the temporary-spare, which allows more trunk space and reduces fuel consumption by reducing tire weight.
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1983
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Bridgestone Corporation establishes its first U.S. production facility by purchasing a Firestone plant in Tennessee.
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1987
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Corporate headquarters moves from Akron to Chicago.
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1988
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Bridgestone Corporation purchases The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, including its global operations.
The Bridgestone Blizzak winter tire was introduced to the Firestone Range of products.
citation needed
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1990
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Corporate headquarters moves from Chicago to Akron. The U.S. operations of The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company are consolidated as Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.
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1991
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Firestone becomes the official tire of the Indy Lights Championship series. The BIGFOOT Monster Truck Racing program names Firestone as its official tire.
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1992
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Corporate headquarters moves from Akron to Nashville.
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1993
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Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. announces its return to Indy car racing
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1994
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Bridgestone/Firestone's Warren County plant is the first U.S. tire plant to meet the ISO 9000 quality standard. Bridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Company is formed.
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1995
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Firestone "the legend" returns to CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) competition with Firestone Firehawk tires, taking two checkered flags.
Firestone Tires were re-introduced to Indy 500 and in 1997 Arie Luyendyk won his second Indy 500. The win was Firestone's 50th at the Indy 500.
citation needed
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1996
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The Indianapolis 500 is won for the 49th time on Firestone tires by Buddy Lazier. Bridgestone/Firestone introduces UNI-T® technology in the U.S., which enhances a tire's grip on wet surfaces without sacrificing the life of the tire.
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1997
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Arie Luyendyk wins the Indianapolis 500 on Firestone tires. This is the 50th time the race is won on Firestone tires, more often than all other tire manufacturers combined.
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1998
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Bridgestone/Firestone announced its newest technology, UNI-T AQ (Advanced Quality). This technology helps tires perform better, even in a worn condition.
citation needed. Bridgestone/Firestone introduces UNI-T AQ™ technology in the U.S. Bridgestone/Firestone announces its Dayton brand will become the official tire for the Indy Lights Championship. Bridgestone won its first F1 world championship in only its second season as Mika Hakkinen captured the driver's title in 1998. His team, McLaren, won the constructor's championship.
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1999
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The Firestone Racing program clinches its fourth consecutive driver's championship in CART, and its third championship in the Indy Racing League. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., opens its most technologically advanced tire plant in Aiken, S.C.
The Bridgestone/Racing School moved to Mosport Ontario and was renamed the Bridgestone/Firestone Racing School.
citation needed
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2000
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Firestone celebrates its 100th anniversary.
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