Tyres

Dunlop

Scotsman John Boyd Dunlop trained as a veterinary surgeon and for many years practised in Belfast. In 1888, at the age of 42, he fitted his son's tricycle with an inflated rubber hose, covered with canvas. The idea had been patented as early as 1846 (the same year as Dunlop's birth) by a Scotsman called Robert Thomson but it was never commercialized.Dunlop established the Pneumatic tire Company and patented his design and he began manufacturing bicycle tires. Within 10 years the solid rubber tire had virtually disappeared. The success resulted in legal action from Thomson's family. This was settled in 1895 when Dunlop lost the case and resigned from the Pneumatic tire Company.It was not until 1902 that the company decided that it should be named after its founder and renamed itself Dunlop. The company enjoyed enormous growth in the Europe and later around the world.The company first became involved in motor racing as a partner of the Vanwall team in 1958. The company remained involved until 1970, during which time it won 83 victories and eight World Championships.The company was taken over by Japan Sumitomo Rubber Industries in 1984 and while there was still an active involvement in motor racing, there was never a return to F1.In 1998 Sumitomo was taken over by the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company.