The Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company
was founded in 1898 by German immigrants Charles and Frank Seiberling.
Today it is the third largest tire and rubber company in the world
behind Michelin and Bridgestone/Firestone. It manufactures tires for
automobiles, airplanes, and heavy machinery. In addition it makes rubber
hoses, shoe soles, and parts for electric printers. Although the company
was not connected with him, it was named in honor of Charles Goodyear.
Goodyear invented vulcanized rubber in 1839. Goodyear is known
throughout the world because of its famous Goodyear Blimps. For many
years it maintained an aerospace subsidiary, first named Goodyear
Aircraft Company and then after World War II renamed Goodyear Aerospace
Corporation. The subsidiary was sold in 1987 to Loral Corp., in the
aftermath of Sir James Goldsmith's greenmail attack. The last major
restructuring of the company took place in 1991. Goodyear hired Stanley
Gault, former CFO of Rubbermaid inc, to expand the company into new
markets. The moves resulted in 12,000 employees being laid off.
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