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June 5, 2013

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Profile America -- Wednesday, June 5th. In 1940, a major problem facing the nation was finding a replacement for rubber. War clouds were gathering, and the supply of natural rubber from Asia was threatened. On this date 73 years ago, the first synthetic rubber tire was displayed in Akron, Ohio. It was made by the B.F. Goodrich Company from readily available ingredients -- soap, gas, petroleum, and air, greatly helping the looming war effort. Now, natural rubber is used once again to make a huge variety of tires, annually replacing millions worn out by motor vehicles, aircraft and other wheeled vehicles. The U.S. makes nearly $17 billion worth of tires annually, and imports an additional $10.7 billion worth. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau, online at <www.census.gov>.

Sources: Kane's Famous First Facts, 5502
2007 Economic Census, NAICS 326211
http://www.census.gov/econ/industry/hierarchy/i326211.htm
Statistical Abstract of the United States 2012, t. 1308
http://www.census.gov/compendia/statab/cats/foreign_commerce_aid.html