Frank Seiberling
Founded in 1898 by Frank Seiberling, Goodyear takes its name from Charles Goodyear, the inventor of the rubber vulcanisation process. Based in Akron, Ohio, the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company began by producing tyres for bicycles and horse-drawn carriages before becoming one of the world's largest tyre manufacturers.
During the 20th century, the company significantly expanded its product range to include not only car tyres, but also tyres for lorries, aeroplanes, construction machinery and even NASA's space shuttles.
Goodyear also played an important role in the history of Formula 1. From 1964 to 1998, it was a key tyre supplier to the Formula 1 World Championship.
During this period, Goodyear tyres were used by numerous teams and helped secure 368 Grand Prix victories. Between 1992 and 1997, all the world champion teams used Goodyear tyres. This testifies to the significant impact the brand had on racing performance.
However, faced with increased competition and changes to tyre regulations, Goodyear decided to withdraw from Formula 1 at the end of the 1998 season, thus marking the end of a dominant era for the company in the sport.
Despite its withdrawal, Goodyear's legacy in Formula 1 remains indelible, as evidenced by the many victories and successes it helped to make possible. Goodyear remains one of the world's leading tyre manufacturers and continues to focus on innovation and performance enhancement.
.