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- Ford Whitewall Tire, 1941 - Henry Ford hoped to control virtually every item that went into Ford Motor Company vehicles, from raw materials to finished components. Construction on a tire plant at the Rouge started in 1937. By 1939 it was turning out up to 16,000 tires each day. Nearly eight million "Ford" branded tires were made before World War II ended production in 1942.
- 1941
- Collections - Artifact
Ford Whitewall Tire, 1941
Henry Ford hoped to control virtually every item that went into Ford Motor Company vehicles, from raw materials to finished components. Construction on a tire plant at the Rouge started in 1937. By 1939 it was turning out up to 16,000 tires each day. Nearly eight million "Ford" branded tires were made before World War II ended production in 1942.
- Automobile Tire, circa 1920 - Firestone introduced its first non-skid tires in 1908. In a clever bit of marketing, the tread pattern itself was formed by the words "NON-SKID" printed at an angle on the tire's surface. The various edges in the lettering gave the tire several points of contact with the road. The tread pattern reduced the risk of slipping during sudden stops.
- circa 1920
- Collections - Artifact
Automobile Tire, circa 1920
Firestone introduced its first non-skid tires in 1908. In a clever bit of marketing, the tread pattern itself was formed by the words "NON-SKID" printed at an angle on the tire's surface. The various edges in the lettering gave the tire several points of contact with the road. The tread pattern reduced the risk of slipping during sudden stops.
- Automobile Tire & Wheel, 1904-1910 - In the automobile's earliest years, solid rubber tires offered an alternative to pneumatic tires. Solid tires were long lasting and impervious to cuts and blowouts. But they were also heavy and gave an uncomfortable ride. Air-filled tires proved more popular for automotive use.
- 1904-1910
- Collections - Artifact
Automobile Tire & Wheel, 1904-1910
In the automobile's earliest years, solid rubber tires offered an alternative to pneumatic tires. Solid tires were long lasting and impervious to cuts and blowouts. But they were also heavy and gave an uncomfortable ride. Air-filled tires proved more popular for automotive use.
- Automobile Tire, 1937 - Automobile tires are supported by a cord body underneath the rubber surface. The cord body consists of multiple body plies -- fabric material initially made of cotton, but later of polyester, rayon, or nylon -- layered together and coated with rubber. The plies in this tire run diagonally across the tire's width -- a construction method called "bias ply."
- 1937
- Collections - Artifact
Automobile Tire, 1937
Automobile tires are supported by a cord body underneath the rubber surface. The cord body consists of multiple body plies -- fabric material initially made of cotton, but later of polyester, rayon, or nylon -- layered together and coated with rubber. The plies in this tire run diagonally across the tire's width -- a construction method called "bias ply."
- Automobile Tire & Spoked Wheel, circa 1910 - The first pneumatic automobile tires were little more than upscaled versions of bicycle tires. They lacked any sort of tread, were prone to skidding, and lasted maybe 2,500 miles. These "clincher" tires, secured to the rim by a rubber bead, required a crowbar and a good deal of patience when stretching to mount or demount.
- circa 1910
- Collections - Artifact
Automobile Tire & Spoked Wheel, circa 1910
The first pneumatic automobile tires were little more than upscaled versions of bicycle tires. They lacked any sort of tread, were prone to skidding, and lasted maybe 2,500 miles. These "clincher" tires, secured to the rim by a rubber bead, required a crowbar and a good deal of patience when stretching to mount or demount.
- Gardner Welsh "Deluxe" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1940-1941 - Tether cars, gas-powered model race cars, were popular in the 1930s and 1940s. They were raced individually while tethered to a central pivot, or against each other on a scaled-down board track. This model, with its cast aluminum body and sheet aluminum bellypan, was a product of the Gardner Welsh Engineering Company of Eagle Rock, California.
- 1940-1941
- Collections - Artifact
Gardner Welsh "Deluxe" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1940-1941
Tether cars, gas-powered model race cars, were popular in the 1930s and 1940s. They were raced individually while tethered to a central pivot, or against each other on a scaled-down board track. This model, with its cast aluminum body and sheet aluminum bellypan, was a product of the Gardner Welsh Engineering Company of Eagle Rock, California.
- Key to the City of Los Angeles Presented to Lyn St. James, 1986 - Lyn St. James's drive and determination led to a successful racing career. St. James has competed in top professional races worldwide since the mid-1970s. She established the Complete Driver Academy in 1994, where she continues to inspire and train future female race car drivers. In 1986, the City of Los Angeles recognized St. James's achievements and presented her with the key to the city.
- March 25, 1986
- Collections - Artifact
Key to the City of Los Angeles Presented to Lyn St. James, 1986
Lyn St. James's drive and determination led to a successful racing career. St. James has competed in top professional races worldwide since the mid-1970s. She established the Complete Driver Academy in 1994, where she continues to inspire and train future female race car drivers. In 1986, the City of Los Angeles recognized St. James's achievements and presented her with the key to the city.
- Air Flow "Defender" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1940 - Tether cars, gas-powered model race cars, were popular in the 1930s and 1940s. They were raced individually while tethered to a central pivot, or against each other on a scaled-down board track. New York-based Airflow Industries advertised its "Defender" cars as the only ones "aerodynamically streamlined and wind-tunnel tested." This design process, the company boasted, was the secret to greater speed.
- 1940
- Collections - Artifact
Air Flow "Defender" Gas-Powered Racing Tether Car, 1940
Tether cars, gas-powered model race cars, were popular in the 1930s and 1940s. They were raced individually while tethered to a central pivot, or against each other on a scaled-down board track. New York-based Airflow Industries advertised its "Defender" cars as the only ones "aerodynamically streamlined and wind-tunnel tested." This design process, the company boasted, was the secret to greater speed.
- Night View of Los Angeles, California, 1980 -
- 1980
- Collections - Artifact
Night View of Los Angeles, California, 1980
- Crate Label, "Tri-Color Brand Peaches," 1920-1940 - In 1869, the transcontinental railroad opened eastern markets to the West Coast produce industry for the first time. As produce companies shipped crates of fruits and vegetables across the country, they needed a way to distinguish their goods from their competitors'. Colorful, eye-catching labels, like this one for Tri-Color Brand Peaches, were created to attract grocers purchasing goods from wholesale markets.
- 1920-1940
- Collections - Artifact
Crate Label, "Tri-Color Brand Peaches," 1920-1940
In 1869, the transcontinental railroad opened eastern markets to the West Coast produce industry for the first time. As produce companies shipped crates of fruits and vegetables across the country, they needed a way to distinguish their goods from their competitors'. Colorful, eye-catching labels, like this one for Tri-Color Brand Peaches, were created to attract grocers purchasing goods from wholesale markets.