Akron, OH, USA, is the original Rubber Capital of the world. The rise of Akron to “rubber capital status” began when in 1870 Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich, from New York, was traveling through Akron, on his way to Chicago, but was persuaded by the local Chamber of Commerce to set up his company in Akron, instead of Chicago. BF Goodrich Company initially started out manufacturing cotton wrapped rubber fire hose, which was very successful. BFG later manufactured over 2000 different rubber products, everything from hose and belts, to tires and ultimately space suits.
Because of Dr. BF Goodrich’s success, other rubber companies emerged in Akron as shown below.
- BF Goodrich (1870)
- Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company (1898)
- Firestone Tire & Rubber Co. (1900)
- General Tire (1915)
These companies ultimately employed tens of thousands of workers in Akron. From 1910 to 1920, the population of Akron increased by about 200 % (from 69,067 to 208,435), which gave the rubber city another name…”boomtown”. Manufacturing continued to grow through World War II (where Akron was also called “Center for Airship Development” as well). However, after the war, rubber manufacturing in Akron started to decline while rubber research increased greatly. By the time of the “great strike” in 1976, much of the remaining tire manufacturing was relocated out of Akron. However, today approximately 400 polymer related companies remain around Akron (now called “Polymer Valley”), with 94 rubber firms located in Akron itself.
Today, Akron itself, has a population of about 200,000, but the Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area is 700,000, which makes it the 72nd largest in America. The University of Akron has multi-million dollar support facilities including the following:
- Goodyear Polymer Center
- National Polymer Innovation Center
- College of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering
It should also be noted that the Rubber Division of the American Chemical Society is headquartered in Akron as well. Typically, the Rubber Division has a Spring Conference and a Fall Conference and Exposition every year either in the immediate Akron area or at a site, typically within about 200 miles of Akron. In odd numbered years, they almost always have their major expo and conference in Cleveland, OH (only 30 miles from Akron). These rubber conferences are some of the largest in the world.
In addition, the Akron Rubber Group (now the Ohio Rubber Group), has been having technical meetings in the Akron area since 1928. At one time these meetings might be attended by as many as a thousand rubber professionals at venues such as the Tangier’s Restaurant. However, today those attendance numbers are lower, such as 70 to 100.
Also, Akron is only 30 miles away from Case Western Reserve University with its Department of macromolecular Science and Engineering.
In addition, Goodyear Tire has its Corporate Headquarters and its Research Center in Akron today as well as Bridgestone having its newly built Center for Research and Technology.
Noted Akron sites to see include the following:
- The Wonderful Akron Zoo
- EJ Thomas Performing Arts
- Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens
- A. Seiberling Nature Realm
- Akron Art Museum
- Lock 3
- Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail
- Hale Farm & Village
- Gorge Metro Park
- Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad