The History Of Goodyear Tire's Goodyear Blimp

Goodyear tires are not only one of the first names you think of when someone mentions tires, but the Goodyear blimp is nearly as famous. So, how did the blimp come to happen with Goodyear? It's an interesting history for sure.

Back in the 1920's, Goodyear Tires came up with the idea of building blimps to help people travel throughout the U.S. and overseas as well.

Of course, we all know what happened shortly thereafter as large airliners began to appear and the blimp became history as far as passenger flights were concerned. All in all, Goodyear Tires produced close to 300 blimps before everything was said and done.

What could have been a financial disaster turned into something much better for Goodyear as the U.S. military asked them to produce blimps for international spying purposes. This was a huge opportunity for Goodyear and the program lasted up until the early 60's before the military disbanded it.

Things went quiet for Goodyear for a while until they got the idea of becoming an advertising partner with NFL football. The Goodyear Blimp immediately started flying above football stadiums every Sunday. The effects of this were incredible. Goodyear and its new famous blimp became household words everywhere. The tire company shot to number one almost overnight and had a stranglehold on the competition.

This lasted for several years and eventually led to Goodyear flying above just about every major sporting event in the United States. You know it was a big even when you saw the blimp overhead.

As they say, all good things must come to an end, and today the blimp is all but forgotten. Goodyear now only has 3 blimps that they use on occasion.

Regardless, Goodyear Tires made its mark in history and the blimp will forever be in our memories.