OUR HISTORY

FIRESTONE TIRES – BUILDING ON A TRADITION OF EXCELLENCE

Harvey S. Firestone, a fourth-generation farmer from Columbiana, Ohio, founded the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in July 1900, in Akron, Ohio – a city that would later become known as “Rubber City.”

At a time when manufacturers were focused on building tires for automobiles, Harvey had something more in mind. He dreamed of putting rubber tires on farm tractors.

A DEDICATION TO AGRICULTURE
 

That vision materialized in 1932 when he produced the world’s first pneumatic tractor tire. With its smooth ride and superior traction, the new Firestone tire helped launch the most rapid and striking changes in farm equipment history.

Harvey’s effort to “put the farm on rubber” would play a significant role in the productivity of farmers around the world.

The innovation and performance that launched Firestone’s reputation in agriculture then, continues to build the brand today. It remains the leading farm tire brand in the U.S.

Along with building tires for tractors, the brand continues to builds tires for the full line of farm equipment, including flotation, irrigation and implement needs. And our research farm in Columbiana, Ohio – part of the original farm where Harvey Firestone grew up and worked as a young man – is the only facility of its kind dedicated exclusively to the development and testing of tires for the farm.

GLOBAL RESOURCES
 

Through all the change and growth in agriculture, Firestone never lost its focus on delivering high-performing, productive and best-serviced tires for the farm. Firestone brand farm tires today enjoy the global resources and technologies of Bridgestone Corporation – the largest tire and rubber company in the world. New chemistries, product development and manufacturing innovations from Bridgestone motorsports, retail, commercial and off-the-road units are incorporated into the tire products we build for the farm.

The ideals established by Harvey S. Firestone are embedded in the foundation of the Firestone brand – innovation, performance and service. We are committed to building durable, high-performance farm tires. We wouldn’t put Harvey’s name on anything less.