Page 9 - Goodyear&DunlopNewZealand_Commercial_Catalogue2019

Dunlop Global Background

Beginnings

In 1888, while watching his son
ride a tricycle, John Boyd Dunlop
noticed his discomfort whenever
he rode over cobbled ground. He
knew the tricycle’s solid rubber
tyres were to blame.
The solution? He wrapped the
wheels in thin rubber sheets,
glued the sheets together, inflated
them with a football pump for a
cushioning effect – and created
the first commercially viable
pneumatic tyre.
Dunlop patented the idea, giving
his fledgling Dunlop tyre company
a head start over automotive
competitors who had already
recognised the tyre’s many
advantages. Ten years later,
Dunlop’s invention had almost
entirely replaced solid tyres.

In 1889, Dunlop opened its first
tyre plant in Dublin and its first
factory in Birmingham just two
years later. From there, Dunlop’s Dunlop today
growth from pioneer to successful Dunlop is synonymous with the Dunlop Development Series, season. Dunlop not only
multinational corporation was swift.
industry-leading innovative tyre with many race drivers continues to design high-
Operations were established in designs for motorsport and has graduating to the main game performing tyres for the world
Germany, France, Canada, been at the forefront of and competing in of racing, but also for everyday
Australia, USA, along with motorsport development for the top level of motorsport. motoring, motorcycling, and
production facilities throughout more than 125 years. Dunlop commercial applications.
the globe, such as Japan’s first- has supplied the V8 Supercar The iconic ‘SP Sport Maxx If customers need it, we have
ever tyre plant at Kobe. The Championship Series and Sprint’ tyre was designed to
Dunlop Rubber Company proved Dunlop Development Series enhance the racing experience a tyre for it! Drivers have long
itself a pioneer in technology and control tyres since 2001 and will of competitors and is softer than selected Dunlop’s tyres because
business. continue to do so until at least the original ‘SP Sport Maxx they challenge the limits of
the close of 2019. Some world- Control’ tyre. Both are used at technology with impressive
class talent has been fostered in selected races throughout the results.

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