Click on the follow links to experience the Goodyear 125th Anniversary Press Kit.

News releases:

At the movies: Ten times Goodyear hit the big screen

The speed limits: When Goodyear built the fastest tire in the world

One innovation for Goodyear, one giant leap for the future of mobility

People who shaped Goodyear

Icons in and above the stadium: Goodyear's sporting history

From horse drawn to electrification: 125 years of Goodyear technology

Ten Goodyear innovations that changed the world

Watch our celebratory documentary:

In 1901, Goodyear created the first straight-side tire. The major innovation in this new tire design was the addition of a braided piano wire to the tire's bead. The wire was cured into the bead, which held the tire onto the rim with a complicated set of locks. Since the tire didn't curve in to fit the rim, as its forerunner did, it could hold 10 percent more compressed air, providing a more comfortable ride and improving traction. Goodyear also adopted the Wingfoot trademark to advertise it; a symbol of the company's commitment to innovation and quality, and one that is still used today.

The quick detachable tire (1906)

Goodyear soon started producing the world's first quick-detachable tire, which featured a straight-side design that provided a smoother ride due to its increased air pressure, and a resilient rivet fabric that absorbed road shocks and eliminated the issue of tearing at the rim. The manufacturing process of the tire meant that, unlike its previous products, it required a new rim. As a result, Goodyear had to target the original equipment market by selling directly to auto manufacturers. Goodyear's future was therefore dependent on this tire, as it was a truly superior product that the company wanted to showcase to the world. To do so, the company launched a bold advertising campaign that featured ads for the "Quick, Detachable, 10% Oversize, No Rim Cut, Straight Side Tire" in American publications such as The Saturday Evening Post.

The State-Seiberling tire building machine (1909)

In February 1909, The New York Times reported that Goodyear had recently put into operation four machines that significantly improved both quality and manufacturing capacity of its tires. William State and Frank Seiberling patented a machine in 1909 that transformed the tire industry from manual to mechanised production, allowing for a more efficient process. Two men operating each machine could produce an average of 37 tires per eight-hour shift, sparing workers from carrying up to 250 pounds of iron core and layers of fabric and rubber on their shoulders. The machine also maximised factory space, leading to a thirty-fold increase in Goodyear's unit tire production from 1908 to 1912, with only a four-fold increase in floor space. Following its success, Goodyear subsequently granted 50 licences for other industry players to use the machine, and by 1913, more than half of all tires made in the United States were produced using Seiberling and State's invention.

The Wingfoot Express (1917)

In 1917, Paul Litchfield, a manager at Goodyear’s Akron plant, believed that equipping heavy trucks with pneumatic tires would enable them to travel long distances, carrying heavy loads with ease. To test his theory, Goodyear workers embarked on a 1,540-mile round trip from Akron to Connecticut on the Wingfoot Express, a Packard truck outfitted with large pneumatic tires. This new and innovative feature came when solid rubber tires were the norm for short-distance transportation. Despite encountering numerous challenges, the crew persisted and completed the first leg of the journey in 24 days, covering 740 miles. Improved tires were immediately available after the trip, and the success of the Wingfoot Express paved the way for long-haul trucking. The trip established the first interstate trucking route by making regular nonstop runs, proving the potential of pneumatic tires for long-distance transportation.

The first mass produced synthetic rubber tire (1937)

Goodyear developed and tested the first mass produced, American-made synthetic rubber tire in 1937, utilising Chemigum, the company's first synthetic rubber substance, which was patented a decade earlier in 1927. Goodyear’s tire factory in Jackson, Michigan, started producing it and the newly introduced Pliolite, a bonding agent that attaches rubber to metal, was integrated into the new tires. Additionally, a new packaging item named Pliofilm was also introduced.

Goodyear produces Corsair aeroplanes for WWII (1939)

Goodyear played a significant role in World War II by manufacturing fighter planes for the U.S military. The Goodyear Aircraft Corporation, as it was known at the time, was granted contracts to build Vought F4U Corsair aircraft (initially designed by Chance Vought) after demand increased for the model. In total, Goodyear manufactured 4,017 FG Corsair aircraft, which first flew in 1943. Goodyear later manufactured ten F2G Corsair aircraft, which became known as the ‘Super Corsair’ in 1945. These aircraft featured a 28-cylinder Pratt & Whitney engine and were designed for low-altitude interception. During the war, Goodyear Aircraft Corporation's workforce grew from 30 to an impressive 35,000 in just two-and-a-half years.

The moving walkway (1954)

In 1954, Goodyear built the world's first commercial passenger conveyor belt for the Hudson and Manhattan Railroad, ushering in a new era of efficient travel for commuters. The Speedwalk, as it was named, covered an impressive 84.5 metres, had a 10 percent grade incline, and maintained a steady speed of 2.4 km/h (1.5 mph), showcasing Goodyear's commitment to innovation. Despite being removed a few years later due to changing traffic patterns, the Speedwalk remains a testament to American engineering's pioneering spirit and technological progress.

Goodyear produces Polyglas tire (1967)

In 1967, Goodyear unveiled the bias-belted Goodyear Polyglas tire, which featured fibreglass belts and a wider tread than other tires available at the time. ‘Polyglas’ was a registered trademark of the company. This tire type combined the characteristics of both bias-ply and radial-ply tires, and was initially engineered to be used as original equipment on muscle cars during the late 1960s. The new design included stabilising circumference belts placed directly beneath the tread, which reduced tread ‘squirm’ and improved road holding performance, ultimately increasing the tire's mileage. The tire's popularity grew and, from 1969 to 1974, it became standard or optional equipment on most passenger cars.

The STARAN computer (1972)

The Goodyear Space-Time Automatic Range Analyser (STARAN) computer was the first commercially available computer designed around an associative memory, becoming available in 1972. The STARAN computer was developed and built by Goodyear Aerospace Corporation (previously known as the Goodyear Aircraft Company during WWII), and it was a content-addressable parallel processor (CAPP), a type of parallel processor that used content-addressable memory - what we know today as a search engine. The computer used complex algorithms and advanced signal processing techniques to analyse incoming radar signals, meaning it was capable of tracking multiple targets simultaneously and providing real-time information to pilots and ground control. The STARAN was a significant breakthrough during the Cold War and was used by NASA for tracking spacecraft trajectories. Its development paved the way for modern computing and signal processing technology.

Goodyear RunOnFlat fitted as standard for the first time (1997)

In 1997, Goodyear revolutionised tire technology by introducing the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS Extended Mobility Tire (EMT) for the Corvette, now known as RunOnFlat, eliminating the need for the car to carry a spare tire and jack. These had a low-pressure warning system and could run up to 200 miles at 55 mph with zero inflation pressure. The tire's cutting-edge technology, innovative mould shape, sidewall reinforcements and bead area allowed it to remain mounted on a conventional wheel during severe cornering. Unlike other run-flat tires available at the time, which required expensive and special wheels, the Goodyear solution was a significant improvement. The elimination of the spare tire and jack also reduced the car's weight, further enhancing its performance. The Eagle M+S, a mud-and-snow version was also developed.

1898: The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company began producing horse-drawn carriage and bicycle tires on November 21, 1898, just a few weeks after the formation of the company on August 29. A year later, car tires were produced by Goodyear for the first time, beginning a century and a quarter of technology development that has transformed the way the world moves.

1903: Goodyear patented the first tubeless tire, but it was never commercially exploited until midway through the century.

1906: Goodyear developed the Quick Detachable Tire, a revolutionary design that made it easier for tires to be removed from the wheel while preventing cuts around the rim area. As cars began to replace the horse-drawn carriage, this was a major step forward in safety and convenience.

1908: Goodyear launched the first all-weather tread design. This diamond-studded pattern was used with only minor modifications for nearly 40 years.

1927: Goodyear launches Airwheel, a low-pressure tire, developed for aeroplanes, but later adapted for passenger car use. These ‘balloon tires’, combined with a small diameter rim, gave aeroplanes a much softer landing and brought ride comfort to the road industry, fitted to Fords and Chevrolets as original equipment within three years of launch.

1934: Goodyear launches studded mud and snow tires. Studded tires became the default solution for extreme winter driving, particularly on ice, for decades until the company developed the F32 All Winter Radial in the 1970s and later the UltraGrip Ice range for Nordic and Arctic markets in the late 20th century.

1937: Goodyear produces the first synthetic rubber tire in the USA. To reduce the impact on natural resources, and improve tire performance, the company was at the forefront of synthetic rubber production.

1938: Goodyear introduced the LifeGuard, a safety tire with a ‘built-in spare’. Effectively the forerunner of run-on-flat tires, it used separate air chambers near the tread and rim to ensure that, in the event of a puncture or blowout, the tire wouldn’t completely deflate. These safety tires, also known as Double Eagle, were standard equipment in NASCAR in that period.

1947: The Goodyear Super Cushion sets new standards for ride comfort. The tire combined the cushioning principle of a balloon tire, such as Airwheel, with the ability to run at much lower pressures. This made the tire run cooler, making it last longer. Within six months, Goodyear had supplied 3.5 million Super Cushion tires.

1955: Nearly half a century after the patent was granted, Goodyear tubeless tires became commonplace. The LifeGuard Blowout Shield allowed drivers to continue for up to 100 miles after a puncture.

1958: The Goodyear Unisteel truck tire is introduced, with radial wire and a three-ply breaker belt. The Unisteel range became renowned for durability and mileage for decades to come.

1962: Goodyear launched Super Single trailer tires for articulated trucks. A single wide tire to replace the dual-tire setup, it reduced the weight of trucks, allowing a greater carrying capacity.

1973: Goodyear Custom Steelguard excels in the American original equipment market, being the only steel-belted radial tire approved by all four U.S. carmakers.

1984: Goodyear introduced the all-season tire to the European market with the first iteration of the Goodyear Vector family. Since then, Goodyear has relentlessly pursued the development of a tire that performs all year long, whether in sun, rain or snow. This focus has paid dividends: Goodyear Vector tires have won more all-season tire tests than any other brand.

1992: Taking F1 to the road: The iconic McLaren F1 supercar featured specifically developed Goodyear Eagle F1 tires to manage the 620hp power output from its 6.1 litre V12 engine. The original McLaren press release highlighted the importance of Goodyear’s contribution: “Right from the McLaren F1’s initial design, the tire was considered as an intrinsic suspension element within the programme’s complex handling and comfort calculations. Weight, safety, noise and dynamic performance were all vital factors.”

1994: Goodyear Eagle F1 sets the standard for performance. The range was broadened to cover other supercar and sports car fitments with the distinctive Eagle F1 GS-D2 (Grand Sport - Directional) and later the GS-D3. Their striking directional patterns became a firm favourite with performance car drivers and tuners, combining dry weather handling prowess with stunning wet weather grip.

2001: The Goodyear GT3 tire, the world's first tire made with a compound derived from corn, is introduced at the Geneva Auto Show.

2005: Goodyear DuraSeal launched, giving instant puncture repair on the move for truck tires.

2006: Goodyear Fuel Max Technology is introduced on truck tires, saving fuel through an advanced construction and compound that reduces rolling resistance on long-haul truck operations.

2007: The Goodyear Eagle F1 range made its most dramatic design shift, moving from the trademark directional pattern to an all-new asymmetric construction to improve cornering performance and steering feel as performance cars began to gain weight, torque and power.

2018: Goodyear revealed EfficientGrip Performance, its first tire with Electric Drive Technology to cater to the increasing popularity of EVs.

2021: Goodyear SightLine launched. This global tire intelligence platform was designed to identify and address potential tire-related issues and relay information that only tires can feel.

2021: Goodyear launched NexTrek, a non-pneumatic (‘airless’) tire solution that began in-field testing on autonomous vehicles. Goodyear believes that airless tires may offer sustainable, maintenance-free and longer-lasting alternatives to conventional pneumatic tires.

2023: Goodyear reveals the 90% sustainable-material demonstration tire which includes 17 featured ingredients across 12 different components. The company continues to make progress toward its goal of introducing the first 100% sustainable-material tire in the industry by 2030.

The very first Goodyear Blimps first took flight in the 1910s and Goodyear was a key pioneer in developing this new form of air travel. By the 1950s, the Goodyear Blimp began to be used for aerial television coverage, debuting with the Rose Parade and Rose Bowl American college football game in 1955 as the first aerial camera platform for the industry. Since then, the Goodyear Blimp has been a permanent fixture at sporting and cultural events around the globe, from the Super Bowl to Royal Weddings and so much in between.

Today, a trio of Goodyear Blimps stationed across the United States attend around 200 events each year, including the Daytona 500, the Super Bowl and PGA Tour golf tournaments. In recent years, the Goodyear Blimp has also returned to Europe, flying over races like the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Nürburgring and millions of onlookers in cities including London, Copenhagen, Bled and Milan.

Today’s model is a semi-rigid airship, and the Goodyear Blimp is able to ‘park’ in the sky completely still and silently. This characteristic makes it perfect for capturing live aerial television footage from the best seat in the house with less interference and disruption than a helicopter. It’s ideal for those tense moments before the final whistle!

In recent decades, Goodyear has had partnerships with Bayern Munich, Juventus and Boca Juniors, each the most successful team in Germany, Italy and Argentina respectively. A partnership with English team Wolverhampton Wanderers came about as a result of the town’s Goodyear factory, amplifying a local relationship that extended far beyond the soccer pitch.

Another local partnership through sports is Goodyear’s relationship with the NBA basketball team Cleveland Cavaliers. During that partnership, all-time leading NBA scorer LeBron James was part of the team, wearing the Wingfoot on his jersey. Not only are the Cavaliers the local team to Goodyear’s headquarters, both Goodyear and James hail from the city of Akron, bringing together two local icons. Furthermore, his wife Savannah James christened the new Wingfoot Two Goodyear Blimp in 2016.

Motorsport has been a huge part of Goodyear’s sporting history, with success on the racetrack not just promoting the brand but driving new technologies and innovations. As the official tire of NASCAR, Goodyear has been an integral part of North America’s most popular motorsport series for decades, and with 368 Formula 1 Grands Prix wins - more than any other tire manufacturer - that success has spread across the world, too. Today, Goodyear showcases its leading technology in almost every type of motorsport imaginable, from electric to endurance, off-road to stock cars.

Whether it’s through the Goodyear Blimp’s presence in the skies above some of the world’s biggest events, partnerships with legends on the soccer pitch and basketball court, or developing technology on the racetrack, Goodyear has been synonymous with sport for much of its 125-year history, becoming an instantly recognisable brand in the process.

Charles Goodyear

In the 1830s, Charles Goodyear decided to find uses for rubber. Others had used it for shoes and coats, but the rubber melted during the heat of summer. Goodyear believed rubber could be tanned or cured like animal hides. A few years later, he accidentally dropped a piece of sulphur-coated rubber onto the surface of a hot stove, where it charred like leather. The high temperature and short exposure to the heat changed the properties of not only the surface of the treated rubber, but the entire sample. He called the heating process vulcanization after the Roman god of fire, Vulcan.

Charles Goodyear achieved fame as a pioneer, but died before his work was recognised as something that would change the world forever. Thirty-eight years later, a company bearing his name was formed. That 125-year journey begins with the Seiberling brothers in 1898.

Frank and Charles Seiberling

The Seiberling brothers founded The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company in Akron, Ohio, with initial capital stock of $100,000 on August 29, 1898. The production of carriage tires, bicycle tires, horseshoe pads and rubber sundries began on November 21. Frank was a visionary, using his natural sales skills to grow the company. Charles was people-focused, earning the title of ‘Akron’s first citizen’ for his belief in business’ duty to support the local community. These guiding principles of both brothers have shaped Goodyear ever since.

Paul Litchfield

Litchfield became Goodyear’s first factory superintendent in 1900. With his commitment to quality and innovation he became the perfect teammate to the Seiberling brothers. He developed the first tubeless tire and created a mindset of winning through being a step ahead of the competition.

Fifteen years later, he became the company’s president. Litchfield believed that to prevent stagnation, business must “constantly renew itself from within.” Litchfield did that for Goodyear by finding better ways to make better tires: first, the straight-side tire in 1905, which could be easily locked and unlocked from the rim; then, the first non-skid tire in 1908; and later, the pneumatic truck tire. While Litchfield was celebrating his 50th anniversary with Goodyear, the company produced its 500 millionth tire. He was the only company employee involved in producing every one.

Edwin Thomas

During World War II, companies like Goodyear had to switch their focus to supporting troops. Thomas was perfectly placed to lead the company through these darkest of times. An Akron-born citizen, he joined Goodyear as a teenager before serving in World War I. He returned to the company, becoming president in 1940, just before the USA engaged in the allied war effort. Goodyear was contracted to produce aviation parts, gas masks, barrage balloons, airships, and tires for tanks, trucks and aeroplanes. The Goodyear Aircraft Corporation was commissioned to build planes, including more than 4,000 Corsairs.

Ray Dove

Dove joined Goodyear after serving in World War II, where he became the first African-American research chemist in the rubber industry. He attended the University of Akron and University of Illinois, earning a Master’s degree in Chemistry. His first job was running an elevator in the Akron Headquarters. His promotion was rapid, particularly as others from his university were hired at Goodyear, telling their supervisor that Dove was “smarter than all of us”. He enjoyed a stellar four-decade career until retiring as section head in 1986.

Dove died in 2020, aged 98, but his legacy continues as his daughters are current Goodyear associate Rhonda Harrison and former United States Poet Laureate Rita Dove.

Paul Flory

Flory served as head of Goodyear’s research lab from 1943 to 1948 and eventually won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1974. The prize was awarded “for his fundamental achievements, both theoretical and experimental, in the physical chemistry of macromolecules”.

Flory is remembered not only for his groundbreaking insights in chemistry, but also for his humanitarian work defending the rights of scientists working under repressive conditions around the world.

He wrote more than 300 publications covering the breadth of the physical chemistry of polymers, including work in polymerization kinetics and mechanisms, molar mass distribution, solution thermodynamics and hydrodynamics, melt viscosity, glass formation, crystallisation, chain conformation, rubberlike elasticity and liquid crystals.

Gordon T. Smith

Smith had a long tenure with Goodyear, starting his career with the company in 1940 in Wolverhampton, UK as Plant Manager. He went on to work in Luxembourg where he was the Tire Plant Director from 1961-1973, he was also Plant Manager Luxtire from April 1961 and Production Director for Goodyear Benelux from 1964. During his time in Luxembourg, he received various Luxembourg orders of merit and was also awarded honorary citizenship by the city of Ettellbrück. Gordon Smith was responsible for Goodyear Luxembourg for more than 11 years. His tenure included major investments in the plant and the expansion of the Lux Complex with Lux Fabric, Test Track, Luxmold and Luxwire. His contributions in Luxembourg were so profound that the street where all Goodyear facilities are located today is named after him.

Charles Pilliod

Another Akron-area native, Pilliod was a former fighter bomber pilot who returned to Akron in 1966, becoming president and chief operating officer of Goodyear in July 1972 and chief executive officer in January 1974. He retired from the board of directors in October 1986 when President Ronald Reagan appointed him the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico.

He was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in 1992 for his work in transforming Goodyear from a US-centric company to a truly international organisation, most notably in investing in radial tires, increasingly favoured by European car manufacturers. 

Stanley Gault

Gault took the structure built by Mercer to drive a marketing-focused organisation after he was appointed CEO in 1991. He believed that all Goodyear people should be sales-oriented and had the motto of “putting the Go back into Goodyear”. His successes included the innovative Aquatred, increasing traction by up to 20% on wet roads, winning more than a dozen major accolades including Japan’s prestigious ‘Good Product Design Award’.

Sam Gibara

The choice of Egyptian-born Gibara as president in 1995 truly underlined how the company had become a leading international organisation. With stints in Europe and Africa, he brought a global view to the future growth of Goodyear. The late nineties saw Goodyear expand manufacturing in China, Poland, Slovenia and South Africa through an ambitious programme of investment and acquisition.

While driving Gault’s marketing and commercial focus globally, Gibara also oversaw the introduction of Goodyear’s total quality concept, driving change that is aligned across all business units ranging from manufacturing and distribution to research and development.

Clara Bingham

Bingham earned the title ‘The First Lady of Goodyear’ for her 47 years of service to the company after being hired as a stenographer upon the first plant’s opening in 1898. She progressed through roles as an assistant purchasing agent and heading up the company’s welfare work, before becoming the director of women’s activities in 1921.

In this position, Bingham created the Wingfoot Girls and Goodyear Garden Club for female associates at the factory, and established basketball and volleyball teams, bridge clubs and a summer camp. The Wingfoot Girls evolved into the Goodyear Women’s Network, which has supported female associates for several decades.

Rich Kramer

Kramer is the current Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. His tenure as CEO began in 2010 and is now the second longest in the company’s history. Kramer’s leadership has coincided with dramatic changes in the automotive industry, leading to Goodyear going beyond tires to providing services, tools, analytics and products for the broader mobility industry, including electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles and fleets of shared and connected consumer vehicles.

Upon taking over as the chief executive, Kramer was responsible for establishing Goodyear’s Strategy Roadmap, the long-term business vision and plan that is still being executed today. He also spearheaded the construction of new state-of-the-art manufacturing plants and a product development center as well as initiating the acquisition of Cooper Tire & Rubber Company in 2021.

Under Kramer’s leadership, Goodyear has been recognized among Newsweek’s Most Responsible Companies, Fortune’s World’s Most Admired Companies and Forbes’ World’s Best Regarded Companies. The company regularly appears on annual ‘Top Employer’ lists around the world. Goodyear has earned recognition for its commitment to sustainability and employment of military personnel and people with disabilities. Goodyear also has been named one of America’s most reputable companies and a top company for leaders.

In 1969, that partner was NASA, and the assignment was the Space Race. Goodyear supplied essential products for the Apollo 11 spacecraft, helping to facilitate the first manned mission to the moon. In addition, Goodyear-manufactured brakes helped the missiles move into place on the launchpad and, upon its arrival back to Earth, the capsule was kept upright by Goodyear-made flotation bags.

Goodyear’s space odyssey didn’t end there. For the Apollo 14 mission in 1971, Goodyear and NASA launched the moon tire project, and created two non-pneumatic XLTs (Experimental Lunar Tires) which made history by being the first to leave tire-tracks on the moon - setting the stage for the future of space exploration and mobility. No pressure, then.

Fifty years after first going to the moon, a continued ambition to drive innovation and enhance tire performance saw Goodyear test tire components aboard the International Space Station (ISS) in July 2019. In an agreement with the ISS U.S. National Laboratory, which works in a cooperative agreement with NASA, astronauts on behalf of Goodyear studied the formation of silica particles in the microgravity environment of the ISS. Their aim was to determine whether unique forms of precipitated silica could be used in tires to enhance their performance.

The year 2009 also saw the development of the Spring Tire; engineered to withstand the harshest environments on the moon and the toughest terrain on Earth. Described as “extremely durable and very energy efficient” by Joe Lettieri, Goodyear’s lead researcher on the project, the airless tire with 800 load-bearing springs was designed to carry heavy vehicles over great distances, allowing for broad exploration and potential development of future outposts on the moon, and possibly even allowing vehicles to explore places on earth that current tires would be unable to travel to.

To this day, the company has maintained its focus on lunar vehicle tires and continues this tradition. In 2022, it collaborated with Lockheed Martin to develop a lunar mobility vehicle, with the ultimate goal of being the first to establish extended-use commercial vehicle operations on the Moon. Leveraging its vast expertise in a mission-critical component required to traverse the lunar surface - tires, Goodyear brings an invaluable contribution to the team.

Now with a focus on the future FACES of mobility (Fleets, Autonomous, Connected, Electric Vehicles, and Sustainable), Goodyear continues to pioneer the future of mobility by developing and bringing to the market state-of-the-art tires.

On October 23, 1970, a benchmark was set in the field of automotive technology when the rocket car Blue Flame, equipped with Goodyear tires, broke the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) land speed record, reaching a staggering 622.407 mph over a flying mile, and 630.388 mph over a flying kilometre.

These milestones were achieved on the Bonneville Salt Flats, which provided the ideal conditions for testing the limits of vehicular speed and performance. Additionally, the remarkable feat of achieving record-breaking runs was accomplished in the challenging circumstances of 3 inches of snow, further highlighting its impressive nature.

Goodyear designed 8:00-25 tires for the vehicle, with an outside diameter of 34.8 inches and a smooth tread surface to help prevent heat buildup, filled with nitrogen gas at 350 psi.

Blue Flame's exceptional design and engineering, including its advanced rocket propulsion system, were instrumental in surpassing the previous record, and the achievement served as a catalyst for continued innovation in the field. There is no question that the vehicle's remarkable achievement in breaking the record depended on its high-performance Goodyear tires, without which such a feat would have been impossible. These tires are a remarkable demonstration of human innovation and engineering expertise, as they enabled the vehicle to reach an unprecedented level of speed and performance.

Goodyear's achievement was not an isolated example, however, as the company had previously demonstrated a proclivity for setting records. In 1963, Goodyear was the first to develop a tire that was capable of exceeding 400 mph, when Craig Breedlove drove his first Spirit of America to success.

In recent years, Goodyear also equipped the British-made JCB DieselMax car, which set a 328 mph land speed record for diesel-powered vehicles in 2006, and Volvo Trucks’ The Iron Knight which broke two world speed records for trucks in 2016. The truck achieved an average speed of 105 mph in a time of 21.29 seconds over 1,000 metres from a standing start. The Iron Knight also beat the record for the 500-metre distance, reaching 81.6 mph in 13.71 seconds from a standing start.

Goodyear has never ceased to push the boundaries of what is possible. Its tires now represent a century and a quarter of innovation, driven by technological advancement, and a passion for delivering the highest quality, perfectly tailored tires. Goodyear's legacy lies far further than in the development of its tires alone; its influence stems from the significant progress and innovative strides its technology has made over the course of the past 125 years.

The worlds of movies and Goodyear have crossed paths many times in their respective histories. To celebrate Goodyear’s 125th anniversary, we’re dusting off old film and looking back at some of the most classic Goodyear and Hollywood crossovers. 

Goodyear and the motion picture industry can trace their roots to the same period. Goodyear was founded in 1898, during the same period movies were entering mainstream culture. As the following list shows, both have come a long way since then. 

Goodyear has been involved in some of the biggest car movies of all time. Here are our top picks: 

Cars (2006 - 2017) 

The movie was responsible for a generation’s love of cars and motorsport.  

Goodyear and Walt Disney Pictures entered a collaboration to bring a fictional version of Goodyear’s iconic brand to the Pixar universe. ‘Lightyear’ is the exclusive supplier to the Piston Cup and is adorned on Lightning McQueen’s tire sidewall and all his competitors. Pixar approached Goodyear to make the movie feel authentic, right down to the tires.  

Whether it was battling under the lights of the Motor Speedway of the South or creeping in the dark tipping tractors, Lightning McQueen’s ‘Lightyears’ had him covered. 

The movie even featured Al Oft, the ‘Lightyear’ Blimp, who flies overhead at the biggest races throughout the Cars movies, just like the real Goodyear Blimp does, visible at races such as the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona 500. 

Herbie (1968 - 2005) 

From one movie franchise with sentient cars to another, Goodyear appeared in another Disney franchise. Herbie, the 1963 Volkswagen Beetle deluxe ragtop sedan, warmed the hearts of millions with his mechanical charm. 

Goodyear tires feature fitted to Herbie multiple times throughout the franchise’s history, including the first movie The Love Bug and the most recent movie, Herbie Fully Loaded. In the latter movie, Herbie is uncovered in a junkyard by Maggie, and the duo go on an adventure which takes them to the pinnacle of NASCAR with victory at the California Speedway.  

Scarface (1983) 

Say hello to my (not so) little friend, the Goodyear Blimp! The 128ft airship can be seen in the 1983 classic remake of the 1932 Scarface movie and the 1929 novel of the same name. The text, “The World is yours”, is presented to Tony Montana on the Blimp during the film in which the protagonist stops at nothing to gain control of the local drug market. 

Since the first Goodyear Blimps in the 1910s, this icon of the skies has been spotted at some of the biggest sporting and cultural events, from the Oscars to the Super Bowl.  

The Batman (2022) 

If there was a car that defined its character, it certainly would be the Batmobile. With its first appearance in the 1939 Detective Comics, this car is still a relevant and powerful symbol today.  

In the latest Batman film, Bruce Wayne’s ‘Batmobile’ is fitted with Mickey Thompson tires, which became a Goodyear brand in 2021. Equipped to a heavily modified second-generation Dodge Charger, it looks fantastic in this gritty and dark adaptation of a cultural phenomenon. 

Mickey Thompson tires are popular in the high performance and drag racing scene in the United States. Perfect for the job of disappearing into the shadows at a moment’s notice…

On Her Majesty's Secret Service (1969) 

A car-related movie list is only complete with the mention of James Bond. The vehicles featured in the movies over the years are almost as iconic as the actors who have played the ‘007’ agent.  

On Her Majesty’s Secret Service, the sixth movie in the franchise, features a beautiful 1969 Mercury Cougar XR7, driven by Countess Teresa "Tracy" di Vicenzo. The car is fitted with Goodyear rally tires, and during the movie it’s seen driving on snow and ice in a classic Bond car chase, closely tailed by Blofeld’s assassins. With clearly more grip than their pursuers, Bond and Tracy inadvertently join a rallycross race before eventually fleeing intact. 

Back to the Future Part I and II (1985 - 1989) 

Compared to the perennial suave of James Bond, Back to the Future is a very different kind of timeless. 

When Doc Brown envisioned the classic DMC DeLorean time machine, a set of Goodyear tires was his choice. Certified beyond the 88 miles per hour required to travel through time, the tires sported the classic ‘Goodyear Eagle GT’ etched white into the sidewall. 

The car itself would become a classic, transcending Hollywood to become a memorable symbol for time travel.  

The Eagle GT was a high-performance tire with a tread pattern inspired by Goodyear’s Formula 1 tires. Today, many of Goodyear’s successful high-performance tires proudly sport the Eagle name. Marty and Doc must have known… 

Ford Vs Ferrari (2019) also known as Le Mans ‘66 

More than 20 years before Doc Brown invented the time machine, Carroll Shelby had a dream. 

The year is 1963 and, so far that decade, Ferrari has dominated at Le Mans. Everyone thought they were untouchable. Everyone except Shelby.  

In the film, Shelby and Ken Miles developed the Ford GT40 Mk II, which was finally a car that could match the might of Enzo Ferrari. Ford won the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans with drivers Chris Amon and Bruce McLaren. Miles and Denny Hulme finished second in the sister Ford.  

For Goodyear, this was the second of 14 overall Le Mans victories. Meanwhile, Ford would continue its winning streak in 1967, 1968 and 1969. 

Rush (2013) 

This racing movie is another tale of a fierce rivalry between two all-time greats: this time in the world of Formula 1 between James Hunt and Niki Lauda, who went into battle during the 1976 season on Goodyear tires.  

That was Ron Howard’s inspiration for the 2013 movie Rush, featuring the charismatic Hunt and the calculating Lauda. Like the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans, it was a battle of endurance between these two rivals, which ended with Hunt winning the world championship by a single point. 

The period cemented Goodyear’s dominance in Grand Prix racing, and Rush features the dramatic showdown in Japan between its two protagonists. That season, all but three cars competed in Formula 1 on Goodyear, and to this day Goodyear has the most Grand Prix victories (368) of any tire manufacturer.  

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) 

Whether it’s winning the most coveted prizes in motorsport or protecting the rights of genetically engineered dinosaurs, Goodyear has been to every corner of the movie world. 

In Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, Goodyear off-the-road (OTR) tires are equipped on the BAE MRAP 6X6 Armored Trucks, specially equipped with the strength to protect from a T-Rex attack.  

The tires are Goodyear MV/T, an ultra-strong military tire that excels in mud and sand. Perfect for Isla Nublar. 

Fight Club (1999) 

This classic sees the characters become entangled in an anti-capitalistic underworld. Goodyear branding features heavily at the tire service shop in the film. The insomnia-suffering narrator ‘meets’ Tyler Durden, who forms an underground club where members that are fed up with their mundane lives fight. What transpires is an explosive end to one of the most memorable surrealist movies in cinema history.