Firestone Innovations Run Gamut from Ram Masks to Undergarments
Harvey Firestone Jr. said it best: "You can do almost anything with rubber but eat it." Over the years, the company his father founded proved that to be true.
"Our tires are known the world over, but most people don't know about all the other products we have developed over the last 100 years," says Kenji Shibata, president, Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. "The company was an innovator in many other areas, including roofing materials, synthetic rubber and even ladies' lingerie."
As the Firestone Tire & Rubber Company diversified, it produced some practical, as well as some unusual products. While these products are no longer manufactured by Firestone, they were quite innovative for their time.
The ram mask, perhaps the most unusual Firestone invention, was developed in the early 1940s. This mask, which covered a ram's head with a helmet-like device, was designed to reduce fighting between sheep by limiting their vision. The mask allowed the rams to see their food, but not their foes.
The Firestone Battery Company, a Firestone subsidiary, produced batteries, brake linings, bumpers, fan belts and fenders -- a full range of car accessories beyond tires.
To support the war effort, Firestone pioneered the development of rubber tracks, which were designed to increase the speed and maneuverability of military tanks. These tracks had rubber and steel links bonded together, which provided a much more cushioned tread. For airplanes, Firestone labs created a rubber sealant, which strengthened the walls of the fuel tanks. This sealant made the fuel tanks much more resistant to rips and cracks. The Corporal, the first American surface-to-surface guided missile, was one of the company's most impressive innovations. The missile, with incredible accuracy, speed and distance, gave Firestone the honor of creating the first American ballistic artillery weapon and the Army's only missile in operational use during the 1950s.
The Firestone Footwear Company produced rubber boots and shoes and The Firestone Industrial Products Company manufactured elastic yarn used for the production of girdles and corsets.
The Firestone Rubber and Latex Products Company produced products using Foamex, which was made from liquid latex. Foamex was used to create padding, which lined military tanks, parachute seats, pilot seats, life belts and vests.
The Firestone Plastics Company fabricated and molded Velon, a series of small threads used for weaving fabric. Velon could be thick or thin, opaque or transparent. It could be used for netting, shower curtains, draperies, bedspreads and table covers. In its heaviest form, it could be used for luggage, garden hoses and furniture upholstery.
Bridgestone/Firestone is celebrating 100 years of innovation that began in 1900 through a company founded by Harvey S. Firestone. Throughout the year 2000, "Firestone: A Legend. A Century. A Celebration." recognizes the entrepreneurial spirit that built a brand admired worldwide.
Nashville-based Bridgestone/Firestone is the largest subsidiary of Bridgestone Corporation of Japan, the world's largest manufacturer of tires and other rubber products. Bridgestone/Firestone develops, manufactures and markets Bridgestone, Firestone, Dayton and associate and private brand tires. The company also produces Firestone air springs, roofing materials, synthetic rubber and industrial fibers and textiles.
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| The ram mask, perhaps the most unusual Firestone invention, was developed in the early 1940s. (National Geographic) |
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| The Firestone Industrial Products Company manufactured elastic yarn used for the production of girdles and corsets. (Bridgestone/Firestone Archive) |