Tyrepower deep dive into Dunlop

It all started with a tricycle...

A brief history of Dunlop tyres

One day in 1888, in Belfast, Ireland, the son of John Boyd Dunlop decided to ride his tricycle. But he struggled to do it on solid rubber tyres over the paved ground. Because the child was sick with a bad cold, his doctor prescribed him a very unusual cure: cycling.

When looking at his son’s little battle, Boyd decided to wrap his tricycle’s wheels with thin sheets of rubber. Stick them together, and inflate them with a football pump. This would make his child’s bike more comfortable and smoother, and provide him with better handling.

This invention turned out to be a very big idea. John Boyd Dunlop developed the first air cushioning system in history and set the foundation for the first pneumatic tyre.

The first years

• A year later, in 1889, Dunlop's invention was first adopted by the cyclist Willie Hume. This was the start of Dunlop's legendary run of racing success.
• The idea was immediately patented and a commercial venture started. Dunlop founded what quickly became known as the Dunlop Pneumatic Tire Co. Ltd.
• The first tyre plant was opened in Dublin in 1890, and three years later, a tyre factory was opened in Germany.
• By 1898, production was transferred from Dublin to England - later known to the world as Fort Dunlop.
• Dunlop also established 50,000 acres of rubber plantations in Malaya in 1910. Then the first Japanese tyre factory opened in 1913.
• In twenty years, Dunlop had made the solid tyre obsolete. The business had grown from a pioneer to the first global international company. It is manufactured and sold worldwide.

Most recent years

• Dunlop was very successful in a variety of activities by the beginning of the Second World War. This included tyres, wheels, brakes, flooring, tennis and golf balls, and other rubber-based products.
• In 1984, Dunlop’s European and US tyre operations were integrated with its Japanese business becoming part of the Sumitomo group.
• In 1999, Sumitomo and the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company decided on a global alliance, becoming the world’s biggest tyre producer.
• In 2009, Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres were created. South Pacific Tyres changed its name to Goodyear & Dunlop Tyres.

There are eight key areas that make up the strength of the Dunlop brand and company. These areas are motorsport, R & D, innovation, test results, OE, tuning, 4x4, and UHP.

Dunlop's mission is to give its consumers better driving and riding experiences in all of these areas.

Dunlop tyres at Kenwick Tyrepower.

Dunlop tyres are available at most of our Tyrepower Western Australian stores. Find your nearest store by using our store locator on our website. Another option is calling us at (08) 9459 2139 for more information on the Dunlop product range and availability.