Talk:Firestone Tire and Rubber Company/Archive 2

== "First Firestone investigation" section == WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEH A FIRESTONE (FR480 SERIES) AND A FIRESTONE(FR480 MS SERIES) OF TIRES ? (SMITH)

I just noticed the edit made a few minutes ago, with the edit summary, "(→First Firestone investigation - non-notable, ancient history)" and it piqued my curiosity. Looking over the material removed, the provided reasoning for removing it is not convicing to me. 1979 is hardly "ancient history", and two apparently reputable sources rather rebutt the claim that something is "non-notable". I presume there has been considerable more discussion on this; as an outsider, I'd appreciate it if someone would mind giving me a very short summary of the arguments for and against including this section. I'm certainly open to changing my opinion. Thanks for your time and attention! JesseW, the juggling janitor 19:56, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

The Firestone 500 fiasco should be a significant part of the article. Here's what I wrote earlier. Late 1960's to late 70's corporate mismangement, and series of mistakes and poor decision making almost bankrupted the company. It's so significant that Harvard Business School (and other business schools) wrote papers on it, so that other corporations can avoid making the same near-disastrous mistakes. Please see Wharton and Harvard. One of the first aricles I found when I search for 'Firestone 500 Hearings' stated:

"Back in the '70s, Firestone was in a similar position. You may remember the Radial 500 tires and the fiasco that followed. The company's director of development wrote a memo stating, "We are making an inferior quality radial tire, which will subject us to belt-edge separation at high mileage."

"So what did Firestone do? Nothing. They kept it hush-hush and kept on manufacturing the 500s. A high number of consumers were completely dissatisfied with their 500s and brought them back. Firestone still did nothing." Firestone Rides on its New Ad Campaign (ultimately leading to the biggest consumer recall in American history, the largest NHTSA fine in history, congressional hearings on Firestone 500 Tires, and nearly bankrupted the company) This will be a major part of the article. - Fairness & Accuracy For All 20:42, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Fair enough -- it stays. Thank you for a sane and cogent explanation.  MortonDevonshire  Yo  • 21:23, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

You're welcome. I completely rewrote this section. I'm open to constructive criticism. - Fairness & Accuracy For Harvey Fierstein 22:23, 1 February 2007 (UTC)

Agree with Morton, the new version is ok, needs a few typo fixes though. Got a bit confused with where to look for the mods, your draft page or the main article, diffs, showed you did your edit to the main article. Mobile 01^Talk 00:57, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Sorry - I'll delete the draft article. Just rewrote the 'sale to Bridgestone' part. Who knows how to make those cool ref links? I was going to answer your email to me, but you have your email option disabled. - Fairness & Accuracy For Harvey Fierstein 01:50, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

You should have my email address as it says it will send it to you with the mail message, if not I will provide it, I have it turned off for two reasons, 1- to prevent the possible bombardment of hate mail. 2- to prevent me being further recruited into other peoples wars. Mobile 01^Talk 02:52, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Editors would never send you hate mail. I answer mail through the Wiki form, the same way you contacted me. Cheers, and thanks for teaching me the word Larrikinism. - Fairness & Accuracy For All 04:33, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Firestone and racing

IMHO there should be a dedicated racing section, just like the Bridgestone article has. The Firestone brand was very important in American racing (and somewhat important in EU), and still is in the USA, to some extent. - Fairness & Accuracy For All 06:11, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

Agree, The Goodyear and Michellin pages have one too. There are several dedictaed wiki articles already that cover the different Firestone racing codes Firestone Indy 200, Firestone Indy 225, and Firestone Indy 400 plus a multitude of history about Harvey Firestone and his invlovement with the Indy car Series. Mobile 01^Talk 22:22, 2 February 2007 (UTC)

That's not a 'code'. Thats the name of the race because Firestone is the sponsor, and the number of miles. Another one is named the 'Peak Antifreeze Indy 300' for instance. - Fairness & Accuracy For All 00:30, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

OH!, shows how much I know about Racing in the USA. I thought they were racing codes. We have different racing codes here in Australia which use numbers. These relate to the size of the engines. Sorry, My Bad. Mobile 01^Talk 04:15, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

I just found a whole page on Firestone's racing history. FS racing - Fairness & Accuracy For All 07:03, 3 February 2007 (UTC)

Firestone/Bridgestone template

As time desire permits, I will make a Firestone/Bridgestone template. This way everything about the company can be in one convenient place. Similar to: Template:Colombia conflict one of the many templates I created. Travb (talk) 12:36, 4 February 2007 (UTC)

Timeline copyvio

The "100 Years Company History Timeline" subsection is (despite the "reworded" disclaimer) 100% copvio from the company timeline page. As per Wikipedia:Copyright violations, I have removed it. — Athænara ✉ 02:27, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

Hello Athaenara, would you reconsider this decision? This edit puts me in an awkward position. I have very liberal views on copyright, and I have praised Mobile 01/203 anon before for adding this table.

Re: copyright: I have added several issues into the timeline, which make the timeline different than the original. Maybe you were not aware of this when you removed the timeline.

Could you please reconsider? I change my mind on things all the time, I think that makes a persons position stronger, not weaker.

Again, this is uncomfortable for me, since you have been so helpful to me in the past, but I really feel like the timeline is okay. I look forward to your response. Travb (talk) 17:02, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

There is nothing personal about copyvio and plagiarism issues and policy, they simply are what they are. This has nothing to do with "awkward," "liberal," "uncomfortable," "helpful," "feel like," etc.—a few alterations do not protect a violation from being what it is. — Athænara ✉ 17:24, 5 February 2007 (UTC)

I used an emotional appeal first on your talk page in the hope you may reconsider your postion Athaenara.

My background

My first Arbcom was with User:TDC who in my opinion, used copyright as a way to silence oposition and as a tool in an edit war.

I was indefinetly booted for alleged copyright violations. What led up to my indefinete ban was questioning a powerful administor who was pushing for, in my opinion, draconian fair use rules to "protect" wikipedia. This admin refused to answer my question 8 times, and took my questions as an insult to her authority. (She was later hounded off of wikipedia)

Fair use

As you may know, I am a law student in my third year, last semester I took an international intellectual property class with a esteemed local intellectual property lawyer. Fair use laws are purpously vague. This timeline would probably fit into the definition of fair use. (Again, it is hard to say, because fair use rules are so vague--in addition, I don't think a legal case "on point" would persuade you one way or the other at this point)

Wikipedia rules

Wikipedia rules on copyright are also contentious and in flux. For some more information on Fair use, see Wikipedia:Fair use and User:Travb/Fair_use

Despite the hysteria and falacious slippery slope arguments by the small group of editors who are completly ignorant of copyright law and like to push their weight around (I am talking about other editors, Athaenara, not you), restoring the Firestone timeline would not be the end of wikipedia. The timeline is an acceptable addition to wikipedia under wikipedia rules.

In addition I have modified the timeline to include controversial issues, so it is not like the original timeline anymore.

Athaenara, I am sad that my initial emotional appeal did not change your mind, I doubt a factual appeal will either.

Athaenara, thanks for taking the time to respond. Travb (talk) 04:37, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Copyright is not the only issue involved: another issue is the problem of the encyclopedia being used for corporate promotion (and here's some good reading on that subject). No, I am not particularly moved by your appeals—perhaps because I've seen so many of them in the past month ;-P   My interest is in the neutrality and legitimacy of the encyclopedia. — Athænara ✉ 08:29, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Wouldn't it be easier for the two of you to then work together to remove items in the timeline that you feel are "promotional" and not historically significant, thus allowing even more of a differentiation from the old timeline that this one derived from? --NuclearZer0 13:03, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Hi Nuclear, welcome to the party. I like your idea.

Athaenara My stance is consistent. Most reference are acceptable on wikipedia. I have fought for months about sources being WP:RS WP:V. I agree that these rules such as WP:RS WP:V are important, but they are often abused. I feel that Bridgestone corporate, which knows about its history better than almost anyone, would be a good source for this article.

Nuclear, I am going to take your advice. Travb (talk) 14:08, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Timeline workshop

Struck items are items which probably are unnecessary for the article, and can be removed.

Items in yellow are new added items, which need more background.

PLEASE only change the "modified" version, not the orginal version. I will revert any changes to the original version. Travb (talk) 14:27, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

Click here to change the modified version

Table added by 203 anon/mobile 01 Copy of Firestone 100 Year Celebration Timeline Year Event Original 1868 Harvey S. Firestone is born on a farm near Columbiana, Ohio. 1895 Firestone marries Idabelle Smith. 1900 Firestone incorporates The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Ohio. The company begins selling tires manufactured by others. 1903 The first set of rubber tires is manufactured at the Firestone factory in Akron, Ohio. 1904 The company develops the first mechanically fastened, straight-sided pneumatic tire. 1906 In its first original equipment sale, Harvey S. Firestone sells 2,000 sets of tires to Henry Ford. This is the largest order of tires for the time. 1907 The company develops the "demountable rim" making the repair and replacement of tires easier. 1908 Firestone introduces the first non-skid tire. 1909 Firestone begins manufacturing tire rims. 1910 Firestone profits exceed $1 million for the first time. 1911 The inaugural Indianapolis 500 is won on Firestone tires by Ray Harroun. 1918 Firestone begins the pioneering "Ship by Truck" movement. 1919 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company of Canada is organized. 1920 The company perfects a method of insulating tire cords against internal heat by a process known as "gum-dipping." 1922 The company develops the industry's first low-pressure balloon tire. 1926 Firestone initiates the now popular one-stop service store program. 1928 The company establishes its first overseas tire plant in Brentford, England. Firestone is voted as one of nine "Pioneers of American Industry ." The "Voice of Firestone" radio program debuts. 1932 The company develops the first low-pressure tractor tire and starts the "Put the Farm on Rubber" campaign. 1936 The Firestone Industrial Products plant is established in Noblesville, Ind. 1938 Harvey S. Firestone dies in his sleep at his home in Miami Beach, Fla. 1939 The company begins producing tank tracks, airplane fuel cells, gas masks and other military items for the defense program. 1940 The company begins developing and producing special tires for combat vehicles. The company's first synthetic rubber plant begins production. 1942 The company develops the divided rim for military use. Possibly the first run flat tire, an extra metal band on the rim acts as a support to enable tires to run 100 miles or more after deflation. 1945 The Firestone Research building is dedicated in Akron, Ohio. 1948 Firestone tires win the 25th Indianapolis 500 in a row. 1949 The first NASCAR race (in Charlotte, N.C.) is won on Firestone tires by Jim Roper. The "Voice of Firestone" radio program is simulcast on television. 1950 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company celebrates its 50th anniversary and dedicates a life-size Harvey Firestone Memorial. 1951 The company begins producing the Corporal guided missile for the U.S. government. 1953 The company introduces the Firestone "500" all-nylon tubeless tire designed for high speed passenger cars. The company does $1 billion in business for the first time. 1954 For the first time, the "Voice of Firestone" is telecast in color. The company introduces the tubeless tire for tractors and airplanes. 1957 The company dedicates a 7.7 mile test track in Fort Stockton, Texas. The track is used to test tires under a variety of wet and dry conditions. 1963 The final "Voice of Firestone" television program airs. 1964 The company introduces its first radial tire to the North American market. 1965 Art Arfons sets a land speed record of 576.55 mph on Firestone tires. The company introduces the "Super Sports Wide Oval" tire. This effort pioneered the concept of wide low-profile tires which continues today for high-performance cars. 1968 Graham Hill becomes the first driver to win the FIA Formula One championship on Firestone tires. 1971 The company develops the first American-made steel belted radial tire. The company develops the "liquid molded cast tire." It never becomes a commercial success because of the market dominance of the steel-belted radial tire. 1972 Ray Elder produces the 568th Firestone win in NASCAR when he takes the checkered flag at Riverside Raceway, June 18, driving a Dodge Charger. 1973 Harvey S. Firestone, Sr. is inducted into the Automobile Hall of Fame. Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., eldest son of the company founder, dies at age 75. 1974 The company announces the Steel Radial 500 ACT (advanced concept tire) providing run flat capability at speeds up to 40 mph. 1979 Firestone introduces the temporary-spare, which allows more trunk space and reduces fuel consumption by reducing tire weight. 1983 Bridgestone Corporation establishes its first U.S. production facility by purchasing a Firestone plant in Tennessee. 1987 Corporate headquarters moves from Akron to Chicago. 1988 Bridgestone Corporation purchases The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, including its global operations. 1990 Corporate headquarters moves from Chicago to Akron. The U.S. operations of The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company are consolidated as Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. 1991 Firestone becomes the official tire of the Indy Lights Championship series. The BIGFOOT Monster Truck Racing program names Firestone as its official tire. 1992 Corporate headquarters moves from Akron to Nashville. 1993 Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. announces its return to Indy car racing 1994 Bridgestone/Firestone's Warren County plant is the first U.S. tire plant to meet the ISO 9000 quality standard. Bridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Company is formed. 1995 Firestone "the legend" returns to CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) competition with Firestone Firehawk tires, taking two checkered flags. 1996 The Indianapolis 500 is won for the 49th time on Firestone tires by Buddy Lazier. Bridgestone/Firestone introduces UNI-T® technology in the U.S., which enhances a tire's grip on wet surfaces without sacrificing the life of the tire. 1997 Arie Luyendyk wins the Indianapolis 500 on Firestone tires. This is the 50th time the race is won on Firestone tires, more often than all other tire manufacturers combined. 1998 Bridgestone/Firestone introduces UNI-T AQ™ technology in the U.S., which maintains a tire's performance on wet surfaces even as the tire wears. Bridgestone/Firestone announces its Dayton brand will become the official tire for the Indy Lights Championship. 1999 The Firestone Racing program clinches its fourth consecutive driver's championship in CART, and its third championship in the Indy Racing League. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., opens its most technologically advanced tire plant in Aiken, S.C. 2000 Firestone celebrates its 100th anniversary.

Modified table Year Event Modified 1868 Harvey S. Firestone is born on a farm near Columbiana, Ohio. 1895 Firestone marries Idabelle Smith. 1900 Firestone incorporates The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company in Ohio. The company begins selling tires manufactured by others. 1903 The first set of rubber tires is manufactured at the Firestone factory in Akron, Ohio. 1904 The company develops the first mechanically fastened, straight-sided pneumatic tire. 1906 In its first original equipment sale, Harvey S. Firestone sells 2,000 sets of tires to Henry Ford. This is the largest order of tires for the time. 1907 The company develops the "demountable rim" making the repair and replacement of tires easier. 1908 Firestone introduces the first non-skid tire. 1909 Firestone begins manufacturing tire rims. 1910 Firestone profits exceed $1 million for the first time. 1911 The inaugural Indianapolis 500 is won on Firestone tires by Ray Harroun. 1918 Firestone begins the pioneering "Ship by Truck" movement. 1919 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company of Canada is organized. 1920 The company perfectscreates a method of insulating tire cords against internal heat by a process known as "gum-dipping." 1922 The company develops the industry's first low-pressure balloon tire. 1926 Firestone initiates the now popular one-stop service store program. 1928 The company establishes its first overseas tire plant in Brentford, England. Firestone is voted as one of nine "Pioneers of American Industry ." The "Voice of Firestone" radio program debuts. 1932 The company develops the first low-pressure tractor tire and starts the "Put the Farm on Rubber" campaign. 1936 The Firestone Industrial Products plant is established in Noblesville, Ind. 1938 Harvey S. Firestone dies in his sleep at his home in Miami Beach, Fla. 1939 The company begins producing tank tracks, airplane fuel cells, gas masks and other military items for the defense program. 1940 The company begins developing and producing special tires for combat vehicles. The company's first synthetic rubber plant begins production. 1942 The company develops the divided rim for military use. Possibly the first run flat tire, an extra metal band on the rim acts as a support to enable tires to run 100 miles or more after deflation. 1945 The Firestone Research building is dedicated in Akron, Ohio. 1948 Firestone tires win the 25th Indianapolis 500 in a row. 1949 The first NASCAR race (in Charlotte, N.C.) is won on Firestone tires by Jim Roper. The "Voice of Firestone" radio program is simulcast on television. 1950 The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company celebrates its 50th anniversary and dedicates a life-size Harvey Firestone Memorial. 1951 The company begins producing the Corporal guided missile for the U.S. government. 1953 The company introduces the Firestone "500" all-nylon tubeless tire designed for high speed passenger cars. The company does $1 billion in business for the first time. 1954 For the first time, the "Voice of Firestone" is telecast in color. The company introduces the tubeless tire for tractors and airplanes. 1957 The company dedicates a 7.7 mile test track in Fort Stockton, Texas. The track is used to test tires under a variety of wet and dry conditions. Firestone develops a high-speed race tire to withstand speeds of 190 miles per hour for the first running of the International 500-mile race at Monza, Italy. 1961 Firestones acquires the Dayton Tire division from the Dayco Corporation. 1963 The final "Voice of Firestone" television program airs. 1964 The company introduces its first radial tire to the North American market. 1965 Art Arfons sets a land speed record of 576.55 mph on Firestone tires. The company introduces the "Super Sports Wide Oval" tire. This effort pioneered the concept of wide low-profile tires which continues today for high-performance cars. 1968 Graham Hill becomes the first driver to win the FIA Formula One championship on Firestone tires. 1971 The company develops the first American-made steel belted radial tire. The company develops the "liquid molded cast tire." It never becomes a commercial success because of the market dominance of the steel-belted radial tire. 1972 Ray Elder produces the 568th Firestone win in NASCAR when he takes the checkered flag at Riverside Raceway, June 18, driving a Dodge Charger. 1972 Robertson memo regarding The 500: "We are making an inferior quality radial tire which will subject us to belt-edge separation at high mileage" [1] 1973 Harvey S. Firestone, Sr. is inducted into the Automobile Hall of Fame. Harvey S. Firestone, Jr., eldest son of the company founder, dies at age 75. 1974 The company announces the Steel Radial 500 ACT (advanced concept tire) providing run flat capability at speeds up to 40 mph. 1979 Firestone introduces the temporary-spare, which allows more trunk space and reduces fuel consumption by reducing tire weight. 1983 Bridgestone Corporation establishes its first U.S. production facility by purchasing a Firestone plant in Tennessee. 1987 Corporate headquarters moves from Akron to Chicago. 1988 Bridgestone Corporation purchases The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company, including its global operations. The Bridgestone Blizzak winter tire was introduced to the Firestone Range of products. 1990 Corporate headquarters moves from Chicago to Akron. The U.S. operations of The Firestone Tire & Rubber Company are consolidated as Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. 1991 Firestone becomes the official tire of the Indy Lights Championship series. The BIGFOOT Monster Truck Racing program names Firestone as its official tire. 1992 Corporate headquarters moves from Akron to Nashville. 1993 Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc. announces its return to Indy car racing 1994 Bridgestone/Firestone's Warren County plant is the first U.S. tire plant to meet the ISO 9000 quality standard. Bridgestone/Firestone Off Road Tire Company is formed. 1995 Firestone "the legend" returns to CART (Championship Auto Racing Teams) competition with Firestone Firehawk tires, taking two checkered flags. Firestone Tires were re-introduced to Indy 500 and in 1997 Arie Luyendyk won his second Indy 500. The win was Firestone's 50th at the Indy 500. 1996 The Indianapolis 500 is won for the 49th time on Firestone tires by Buddy Lazier. Bridgestone/Firestone introduces UNI-T® technology in the U.S., which enhances a tire's grip on wet surfaces without sacrificing the life of the tire. 1997 Arie Luyendyk wins the Indianapolis 500 on Firestone tires. This is the 50th time the race is won on Firestone tires, more often than all other tire manufacturers combined. 1998 Bridgestone/Firestone announced its newest technology, UNI-T AQ (Advanced Quality). This technology helps tires perform better, even in a worn condition.. Bridgestone/Firestone introduces UNI-T AQ™ technology in the U.S. Bridgestone/Firestone announces its Dayton brand will become the official tire for the Indy Lights Championship. Bridgestone won its first F1 world championship in only its second season as Mika Hakkinen captured the driver's title in 1998. His team, McLaren, won the constructor's championship. 1999 The Firestone Racing program clinches its fourth consecutive driver's championship in CART, and its third championship in the Indy Racing League. Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc., opens its most technologically advanced tire plant in Aiken, S.C. The Bridgestone/Racing School moved to Mosport Ontario and was renamed the Bridgestone/Firestone Racing School. 2000 Firestone celebrates its 100th anniversary.

I made some minor changes such as removing 49th win, changing "perfected method" to "created method" and removing "now popular", hopefully this addressed some of the issues brought forth regarding promotional material. The 49th win did not seem particularly notable, the 468th doesnt either, but it states the car was a charger which may be why its notable. Other then that it was just a matter of more neutral wording. Hope this helps all, if anyone feels I made todrastic of a change let me know, not trying to step in middle, just help reach a middle ground. --NuclearZer0 15:31, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

I believe "Bridgestone won its first F1 world championship in only its second season as Mika Hakkinen captured the driver's title in 1998. His team, McLaren, won the constructor's championship." should be readded, as winning their first F1 Championship would eb a milestone, perhaps if its needed to be cut down, remove that it was its "second season." or who won it possibly, but it seems it would be an important piece of history for the company. --NuclearZer0 13:16, 8 February 2007 (UTC)

I removed this information because F1 has nothing to do with Firestone. Only Bridgestone Tyres are used in F1 and these are all manufactured by Bridgestone Japan. This information can be added to the Bridgestone article if it's not already there. Formula 1 racing contracts for tyre use are between Fifa and Bridgestone Corporation Japan and do not include any of it's subsidiaries which includes Firestone both in USA and Europe. Mobile 01^Talk 06:40, 13 February 2007 (UTC)

Archive

For simplicity, I converted the 4 archives into one large archive, since they were all archived on the same day. If anyone here needs to refer to past discussions, it will be much easier to search through one archive instead of 4. Travb (talk) 14:34, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

I originally had it as 1 archive but the message came up about it being too big. It's 128 long and so I dropped it into 4 by 30ish. Following the how to archive a talk page suggestion to keep pages at a reasonable size, this made it faster to load for slower connection speeds and made the contents menu smaller and easier to locate discussion. If you feel it is better as one long archive then OK. When the current page gets too long, are we going to keep adding to the archive1. At what point do you eventually create an archive2. Mobile 01^Talk 22:27, 6 February 2007 (UTC)

You can start from this point on =) That way the previous discussions are kept together, and the size doesnt get larger. --NuclearZer0 13:09, 7 February 2007 (UTC)

Jingle

Is it legitimate to say that a jingle which first ran in the 1960s "helped establish the name" of a company founded in 1900? It's a very catchy jingle, but please! 68.53.110.123 22:32, 12 February 2007 (UTC)

There has been discussion already on whether the jingle should even be included in the article or not and the general consensus was Keep. You can look at the archives for the discussion thread. As for the statement that it helped to establish the name, this I believe was a direct quote from the Firestone Radio show although it was never deemed required to reference this as a citation. Mobile 01^Talk 06:47, 13 February 2007 (UTC)