They challenge our minds.

They challenge our lives.

They are our passion.

Although steam-powered vehicles existed as early as 1769, it was the invention of the bicycle in 1861 and its subsequent popularity which first brought the air-inflated tire commercial success.

The development of the motor car in 1886 created an even greater market for the pneumatic tire, turning tire manufacturing and distribution into the worldwide industry we know today.

These and other events on the road to the modern pneumatic tire are chronicled here from the August 1988 special issue of Rubber & Plastics News, Celebrating 100 Years Of The Pneumatic Tire Industry.

Air filled tires span a century
Captains of the tire industry
How Akron became the Tire Capital of the World
Radial tire spawned industry revolution
Rubber's stormy labor history
Ship-By-Truck movement - Akron's second claim to fame
The Asian tire industry
The first pneumatic tire was leather-covered and invented in 1845
The two fathers of the pneumatic tire
Tire company histories
Tire manufacturing the growth industry of the day
Tire or tyre?
Tires safer, but not enough for Nader
What pneumatic tires are called in 27 languages

Come share your passion for tires at ITEC 2010. We welcome your input into making this dynamic event a success for your company.

We are here to help in any way we can. To contact us with any questions click here - ITEC Staff