Mohave County miner and our mineral wealth., 1921-01-08
GOODRICH RUBBER CON- PANY CELEBRATES
 50TH BIRTHDAY

Akron, O., Jan. IA man whose pioneer work in the rubber industry was destined to figure prominently in the development of the automobile but who did not live to see a "horseless carriage" was singularly honored here last week. His name is Dr. Benjamin Franklin Goodrich, founder of the rubber company bearing his name.
 Last week marked the golden anni- versary of the founding of the D. F. Goodrich Rubber Co.,, the parent fac tory of the Rubber City," The com- pany was incorporated December 31, 1870. Officials and employees of the company, residents of the city, and, thousands of friends and customers throughout the country joined in pay ing tribute to the memory of Dr. Goodrich and in observing the termin- ation of a full half century of the company he established.
 The rubber industry literally made Akron-changed it in the space of few decades from d quiet little mill ing town of a few thousand inhabi- tants to one of the foremost manu- featuring centers in the United Stat es. Consequently, the people of Ak ron feel duly grateful to the man who first brought the industry to the city and paved the way for future growth.
 Fifty years ago when Goodrich was founded the uses of rubber were few. It was just beginning to be appreciat- ed as factor in industrial life. Since that time the ingenuity and inventive nes of man have created of this ma terial many thousands of products which today are absolutely essential to the continued progress of the world.
 Dr. Goodrich, a resident of New York state, was physician by pro- fession. However, after serving as surgeon during the Civil War he took up real estate and shortly found him. self in possession of small rubber factory at Hastings-on-the Hudson.
 Handicapped by a lack of funds his first efforts to operate this fac tory were unsuccessful. Attracted by Akron's transportation advantages and an offer. of financial assistance from a group of Akron men, he brought his equipment to this City.
 The manufacture of rubber products was first started by Dr. Goodrich ill al small, two-story brick building 40 by 100 feet, which could be placed in one of the mill rooms of the preseI,,,, plant. To start with, the concern em- ployed 25 men. This little factory of fifty years ago has grown until today it comprises 63 buildings of brick and steel-covering 110 acres of land.
 The early struggles to finance the industry were bitter and discourag- ing. In those days, not many persons had much faith in the future of the rubber industry and many of the orig inal stockholders dropped out, fear ing they would lose everything they had put into it. Dr. Goodrich's per sistence and optimism, however, fin ally succeeded in obtaining sufficient capital to enable the company to start its march toward prosperity
 The first big stride in the growth of the Goodrich came with the popu- larity of the bicycle. When the high wheelers gave way to what was call ed the "safeV" bicycle, pneumatic tires were introduced, and Goodrich speedily took up their manufacture. Before this time, Goodrich had taken the initial steps in the evolution of rubber shod wheels by perfecting the solid rubber tires for carriages.
 The success of this carriage tire, followed by that of the pneumatic tire for bicycles, naturally led to the man. ufacture of tires for automobiles. The f;rc+ ono p,ada Twas a crl1de affair."