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- Prototype Racing Tire, circa 1960 - Bobby Unser made his reputation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The course had a dirt surface when Unser raced it, so he searched for ways to improve tire traction. Unser tried grinding up various substances and mixing the results into rubber to produce a tire with more grip. The most effective material turned out to be ground walnut shells.
- circa 1960
- Collections - Artifact
Prototype Racing Tire, circa 1960
Bobby Unser made his reputation in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The course had a dirt surface when Unser raced it, so he searched for ways to improve tire traction. Unser tried grinding up various substances and mixing the results into rubber to produce a tire with more grip. The most effective material turned out to be ground walnut shells.
- Overhead View of the Firestone Singing Fountain, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935 - In 1913, Henry Ford established Ford Motor Company's photographic department. Though few internal records describe company photography, remaining photographs reveal a wide range of departmental activity. Among many other events, Ford photographers documented the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition in San Diego -- where the Firestone Singing Colored Fountains in front of the Ford Building were a popular spectacle.
- 1935
- Collections - Artifact
Overhead View of the Firestone Singing Fountain, California Pacific International Exposition, San Diego, 1935
In 1913, Henry Ford established Ford Motor Company's photographic department. Though few internal records describe company photography, remaining photographs reveal a wide range of departmental activity. Among many other events, Ford photographers documented the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition in San Diego -- where the Firestone Singing Colored Fountains in front of the Ford Building were a popular spectacle.
- Firestone Oldfield Tire, circa 1920 - Barney Oldfield partnered with Firestone in 1919 to produce a line of tires under his name. The famous racing driver claimed to have put all his years of experience into the design of his "Oldfield" brand tires. They received another important endorsement when driver Gaston Chevrolet used Oldfield tires in his victory at the 1920 Indianapolis 500.
- circa 1920
- Collections - Artifact
Firestone Oldfield Tire, circa 1920
Barney Oldfield partnered with Firestone in 1919 to produce a line of tires under his name. The famous racing driver claimed to have put all his years of experience into the design of his "Oldfield" brand tires. They received another important endorsement when driver Gaston Chevrolet used Oldfield tires in his victory at the 1920 Indianapolis 500.
- Automobile Tire, 1937 - Rubber tires were mixed with sulfur to harden the rubber -- a chemical process called vulcanization. Bladders were placed inside the tires and filled with pressurized, high-temperature water. The pressure and heat cured the tires, making them more resistant to cracking. Tread patterns were also molded into the tires as a part of the same process.
- 1937
- Collections - Artifact
Automobile Tire, 1937
Rubber tires were mixed with sulfur to harden the rubber -- a chemical process called vulcanization. Bladders were placed inside the tires and filled with pressurized, high-temperature water. The pressure and heat cured the tires, making them more resistant to cracking. Tread patterns were also molded into the tires as a part of the same process.
- Tire Pressure Gauge, circa 1985 - A car's oxygen-filled tires needed to maintain a certain pressure to operate properly. With a tire pressure gauge, car owners could test their own tire pressure without having to go to a service station or garage. This device told them exactly how much air had been forced inside the tire.
- circa 1985
- Collections - Artifact
Tire Pressure Gauge, circa 1985
A car's oxygen-filled tires needed to maintain a certain pressure to operate properly. With a tire pressure gauge, car owners could test their own tire pressure without having to go to a service station or garage. This device told them exactly how much air had been forced inside the tire.
- Florida Girls at Ford Exposition, New York World's Fair, 1939 -
- 1939
- Collections - Artifact
Florida Girls at Ford Exposition, New York World's Fair, 1939
- Bicycle Tire Section, 1915-1925 - Bicycle tires evolved to give cyclists a more comfortable ride. Solid rubber tires first appeared in the mid to late 19th century and were an improvement over wood and metal tires. This cutaway section shows the rubber core attached to the inner metal rim.
- 1915-1925
- Collections - Artifact
Bicycle Tire Section, 1915-1925
Bicycle tires evolved to give cyclists a more comfortable ride. Solid rubber tires first appeared in the mid to late 19th century and were an improvement over wood and metal tires. This cutaway section shows the rubber core attached to the inner metal rim.
- Weed Tire Chains Sign, circa 1925 - This circa 1925 sign has a dual purpose -- to alert potential customers to the price of gas, and to advertise the necessity of "Weed Tire Chains." In 1904, Harry D. Weed was issued a patent for his "Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires," a non-skid tire chain used to increase traction on roads slick with mud, snow, or ice.
- circa 1925
- Collections - Artifact
Weed Tire Chains Sign, circa 1925
This circa 1925 sign has a dual purpose -- to alert potential customers to the price of gas, and to advertise the necessity of "Weed Tire Chains." In 1904, Harry D. Weed was issued a patent for his "Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires," a non-skid tire chain used to increase traction on roads slick with mud, snow, or ice.
- Harvey S. Firestone and His Sons on the 25th Anniversary of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, August 3, 1925 -
- August 03, 1925
- Collections - Artifact
Harvey S. Firestone and His Sons on the 25th Anniversary of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company, August 3, 1925
- Harvey Firestone, Harvey Firestone, Jr., and Henry Ford outside Harkrader Auto Supply, Bristol, Virginia, 1918 -
- 1918
- Collections - Artifact
Harvey Firestone, Harvey Firestone, Jr., and Henry Ford outside Harkrader Auto Supply, Bristol, Virginia, 1918