How We Roll

As the only components of an automobile that come into contact with the road, tires play a vital role in most aspects of a car's performance. They help a car handle better, stop quicker, perform more safely and economically, and enhance its looks. Tires have also shaped how people travel, influenced automobile engineering, and impacted global economies. From rudimentary metal or leather rings placed on wooden wheels to protect them from damage to today's computer-designed pneumatic tires made with advanced synthetic materials, their history is a journey of innovation and technological development. Often overlooked or taken for granted, and despite its basic appearance, the tire is a sophisticated piece of equipment that is the product of over a hundred years of evolution.