Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Giant Screen Experience will be closed Monday, March 16, for a day of staff learning and development. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation, Ford Rouge Factory Tour and Giant Screen Experience will be closed Monday, March 16, for a day of staff learning and development. We appreciate your patience and understanding.

Tire Samples Made with Crushed Walnut Shells for Bobby Unser, 1958

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Artifact Overview

Before his success at the Indianapolis 500, Bobby Unser made his name and reputation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The climb's course was all dirt, so Unser looked for ways to increase tire traction. After experimenting with various materials, he discovered that crushed walnut shells, mixed with rubber, produced ideal tires. Goodyear made these samples for Unser's tests.

Artifact Details

Artifact

Samples

Date Made

1958

Creators

Place of Creation

Location

at Henry Ford Museum in Driven to Win: Racing in America

Object ID

2012.31.2

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Bobby and Lisa Unser.

Material

Rubber (Material)
Walnut (Nut)
Cardboard

Dimensions

Height: 4.5 in (box)
Width: 5.5 in (box)
Length: 4.25 in (box)

Inscriptions

label on box: THE GOODYEAR TIRE & RUBBER COMPANY / AKRON 16, OHIO / [...] / TO: / MR. ROBERT UNSER / 7700 CENTRAL S W / ALBUQUERQUE NEW MEXICO / NC 53045
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