Republic Rubber

Republic Rubber was created as a side effect of the booming automobile industry. Cars were developing rapidly, and more and more, they needed rubber. Rubber was used for tires, fittings, belts and more. Rubber was previously deemed nearly useless as it was far too brittle. This all changed when, in 1839, Charles Goodyear accidentally created vulcanized rubber by adding sulphur. This made rubber more durable to changing temperatures. Fun fact, this happened in Akron, Ohio. Also Charles Goodyear died penniless and alone after having his invention and royalties stolen from him. The tire company is merely named in his honor.

Tangent aside, quickly after being founded in 1901, Republic Rubber became profitable and began to grow. By 1902, the company was producing pneumatic hoses, rubber belts, rubber hoses, and solid automobile tires. At this time, tires were solid rubber, without air. Inflated tires had not yet been invented. At this point, the company employed around 2,300 people and had an annual payroll of 4 million. This averaged to around 58,000$ per employee in 2022 adjusted for inflation.

Over the next 40 years, World War II came and went and business boomed more than imagined. It quickly devoured it’s competition and went public. It acquired company after company including the Lee Tire Corporation and Knights Tire Company. By 1978 however, operational costs continued to rise and part of the company was forced to close. Through several years and an employee buyout, the company operated until 1989. The property became abandoned and plenty of ideas have circulated with what to do with it since. Many of the buildings were demolished years ago; however some still remain. The site has been used as a movie set for B grade movies including Horrors of War.