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Replenishing gum rubber for tire cords. A new supply of gum for the fabric is being carried to the calendaring machine by this worker. After having been milled originally by processes previously described, the moment of impregnation by auxiliary mills alongside the calendaring machine. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Replenishing gum rubber for tire cords. A new supply of gum for the fa...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Adding tread rubber stock. When the fabric carcass has been built to the proper number of layers and cushion rubber has been added under the tread, the thick, extra tough tread rubber is added, having been molded to the proper shape by extrusion in a previous operation. Mechanical guides help this builder to put the tread on absolutely straight, so the tire will be in perfect balance. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Adding tread rubber stock. When the fabric carcass has been built to t...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a factory, plant, manufacture, assembly line, industrial facility, early 20th-century industrial architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Drying at top speed. Reeled away from the calendaring machine, the fresh stock rolls over towering drying racks shown here. Weighted tension bars keep the festooned sheet of new fabric taut and straight as it cools and dries. From the drying racks, the fabric travels quickly onto rolls of cloth where it is rolled onto reels small enough to handle. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Drying at top speed. Reeled away from the calendaring machine, the fre...

Public domain photograph of indoor, interior activity, America in the 1930s, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Streaking into the mixture, and forming the marbleized pattern, the powdered components at first can be detected in the mixture; the yellow of sulfur here, the white of zinc there. Soon however, one begins to blend into the other, and before that batch is removed, every element is completely mixed in--thoroughly impregnating every inch of the rubber with the proper elements for the purpose intended. General Tires, Akron, Ohio

Streaking into the mixture, and forming the marbleized pattern, the po...

Picryl description: Public domain image related to death, coffin, funeral, burial, monument, cemetery, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Adding the bead wire. Taking a more solid form, the carcass is now ready for the addition of another bead before the final layers of fabric are added. The bead cover is shaped to the exact curvature of the tire, and fits its diameter perfectly. The bead is forced into position under pressure by the machine controlled with the worker's right hand. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Adding the bead wire. Taking a more solid form, the carcass is now rea...

Public domain photograph of 1930s-1940s industrial development, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Creel room in action. Two spools are needed for each of the endless cords. As fast as a spool runs out, the auxiliary spool is immediately pulled into service. Each time one of the spools is replaced, the new spool is tied to the end of the spool which is unwinding so that there is never an interruption in any cord. Should a cord break, it is immediately replaced from an emergency spool until the break can be repaired. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Creel room in action. Two spools are needed for each of the endless co...

Public domain photograph of indoor, interior activity, America in the 1930s, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Last grain of powder is dumped into the mill hopper as another hatch is completely filled. Next batch is in the foreground but will not be started until the present one is completely mixed. Mixing time varies with the characteristic of the batch, both as to the number of ingredients and the speed with which they mix thoroughly into the rubber. General Tires, Akron, Ohio

Last grain of powder is dumped into the mill hopper as another hatch i...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an industrial building, factory, workshop, workers, 20th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

The art of mixing and milling requires skillful judgement and deftness of hand. Part of the secret of these tires lies in the careful training and supervision of these skilled workers. Rubber is flopped and turned over and over again, slashed and bunched in some sports, permitted to run thin in others. Although not sticky to the hand, the rubber instantly bonds to itself when loose end are brought together. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

The art of mixing and milling requires skillful judgement and deftness...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an industrial building, factory, workshop, workers, 20th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Checking fabric rolling off calendar. Through this calendaring machine, the heated cords are squeezed through warm rubber under terrific pressure which completely insulates each individual cord in its own sheath of rubber, and produces an extremely strong fabric of the weftless type. Close watch is kept to maintain uniform thickness and texture at all times. In front of the worker is the trough into which a fresh supply of special gum rubber is constantly being added. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Checking fabric rolling off calendar. Through this calendaring machine...

Public domain photograph of 1930s-1940s US industrial development, Second World War, US war production, indusry, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Warehouse view of cord stock. Cord stock as it is received from the mill. This special twist cotton cord comes from southern mills. It differs from other tire cords in that it is woven and twisted by gear-driven machinery instead of belt-driven equipment. Slips and strains of belt-machinery are reflected in the cord and on into the finished tire, whereas in a gear-driven machine there are no slippages, therefore no weakened cords in the finished tire. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Warehouse view of cord stock. Cord stock as it is received from the mi...

Public domain photograph of United States agriculture in the 1930s, country, farmer, farm, great depression, migration, dust bowl refugees, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Molds automatically open. At the end of the curing time, the mold draws the steam out of the airbag, opens the lid and ejects the tire from the tread pattern. Workers need to do nothing but pull out the finished tire and put in another uncured carcass. General Tires, Firestone, Akron, Ohio

Molds automatically open. At the end of the curing time, the mold draw...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a worker, labor, factory, plant, manufacture, industrial facility, 1930s, mid-20th-century industrial photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Forming the bead with "saucer," this tire builder follows every curve of the tire, shaping and pressing on the new layer. This saucer is matched by another on the far side of the tire which works on the other side at the same time, assuring perfect balance of the finished tire. The saucers may be swiveled in every direction to press the tire at right angles or lightly at a tangent. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Forming the bead with "saucer," this tire builder follows every curve ...

Public domain photograph of indoor, interior activity, America in the 1930s, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

View of the creel room. Spools of cord are brought from storage into this creel room, from which they are woven into tire fabric. Each spool is connected by a complicated pulley arrangement to the bank of cords seen in the center of the picture and travels overhead to reach that bank. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

View of the creel room. Spools of cord are brought from storage into t...

Public domain image of an industrial building, factory, structure, works, 19th-20th century industrial revolution, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

Covering the beads. Beads are covered with sturdy fabric which builds back down into the sidewall of the finished tire for added strength. Passenger tires are normally supplied with only one wire bead, but truck tires usually have two or more, depending upon the size, weight and number of plies. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Covering the beads. Beads are covered with sturdy fabric which builds ...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Adding tread rubber stock. When the fabric carcass has been built to the proper number of layers and cushion rubber has been added under the tread, the thick, extra tough tread rubber is added, having been molded to the proper shape by extrusion in a previous operation. Mechanical guides help this builder to put the tread on absolutely straight, so the tire will be in perfect balance. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Adding tread rubber stock. When the fabric carcass has been built to t...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Tire building. This tire builder starts the carcass by slipping a layer of fabric onto the tire drum. The layer is made with the seam cut on the bias so that there will be no straight-across strain on the tire seams. The layer fits tightly, and each successive layer is banded to the preceding one by applied pressure. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Tire building. This tire builder starts the carcass by slipping a laye...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an aircraft, assembly line, industrial facility, 1930s aviation, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Weighing ingredients. As in any recipe, this measuring of ingredients for the "batch" of the rubber must be done with great care. At this point it is determined whether the raw rubber will be converted into tread stock, fabric gum, tube stock, repair material or mechanical rubber stock. All ingredients--rubber, chemicals, liquids--are placed in the metal tub, and delivered to the mill room for processing. General Tires, Akron, Ohio

Weighing ingredients. As in any recipe, this measuring of ingredients ...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an industrial building, factory, workshop, workers, 20th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Leaving this tire builder's hands, this finished carcass is rolled away to the vacuum expanding machines, or to storage until these machine operators are ready for it. Since the rubber throughout the carcass is not yet cured, the tire is still somewhat soft and squashy. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Leaving this tire builder's hands, this finished carcass is rolled awa...

Public domain photograph of sport activity, 1930s, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Wrapping in cloth prevents sticking. Reels of fabric may be stored for a few moments or a few days, wrapped in cloth to prevent it from sticking to itself when rolled up. These reels are brought from storage to machines such as this, in which the fabric is out on a powered bias cutter to exact length for one ply of a tire. This worker is making a layer of two plies, with the cords running at right angles, one laid on top of the other. This layer will later be used by a tire builder in building up the plies of his tire to the required number. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Wrapping in cloth prevents sticking. Reels of fabric may be stored for...

Public domain photograph of 1930s industry, war production in the United States free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Sealing and shaping the bead. Each new bead must be sealed into position by this forming tool as well as by use of the solvent-cement compound. Every tire built is the personal achievement of the expert tire builder. Building a larger size truck tire often consumes a full day's work! Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Sealing and shaping the bead. Each new bead must be sealed into positi...

Public domain photograph of 1930s-1940s industrial development, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Shaping the sidewall. Moistening the bead area with a special rubber solvent and cement, the tire builder makes ready to force the overhanging edges down and around to the bead where it will first be anchored, then trimmed. The wheel spins and stops by foot control, leaving both hands free for work upon the tire itself. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Shaping the sidewall. Moistening the bead area with a special rubber s...

Public domain photograph of 1930s industry, war production in the United States free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Drying at top speed. Reeled away from the calendaring machine, the fresh stock rolls over towering drying racks shown here. Weighted tension bars keep the festooned sheet of new fabric taut and straight as it cools and dries. From the drying racks, the fabric travels quickly onto rolls of cloth where it is rolled onto reels small enough to handle. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Drying at top speed. Reeled away from the calendaring machine, the fre...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Off to the calendaring machine. The finished batch is taken by other tire workers to the next step in the milling process. In this instance, the batch goes from the mill room to the calendaring machine, where it will become a part of the cord fabric. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Off to the calendaring machine. The finished batch is taken by other t...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Wrapping in cloth prevents sticking. Reels of fabric may be stored for a few moments or a few days, wrapped in cloth to prevent it from sticking to itself when rolled up. These reels are brought from storage to machines such as this, in which the fabric is out on a powered bias cutter to exact length for one ply of a tire. This worker is making a layer of two plies, with the cords running at right angles, one laid on top of the other. This layer will later be used by a tire builder in building up the plies of his tire to the required number. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Wrapping in cloth prevents sticking. Reels of fabric may be stored for...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Caption card lists some of the printing history of image. Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Informa... More

Raw rubber wheeled to mill room. Wagonload of cut rubber is carted from the cutting machine into the "make-up" room where ingredients are gathered, weighed and measured for each batch of rubber to be made up into General tires. Firestone (General Tires). Akron, Ohio.

Raw rubber wheeled to mill room. Wagonload of cut rubber is carted fro...

Public domain photograph of indoor, interior activity, America in the 1930s, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Off to the calendaring machine. The finished batch is taken by other tire workers to the next step in the milling process. In this instance, the batch goes from the mill room to the calendaring machine, where it will become a part of the cord fabric. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Off to the calendaring machine. The finished batch is taken by other t...

Public domain photograph of 1930s-1940s US industrial development, Second World War, US war production, indusry, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

The guillotine. Having slid down the trough on the lower left, the bale of raw rubber is now being squeezed against the knife blades on the left under terrific pressure. These blades fan out into eight selections, cut the rubber into eights like an orange divides into sections. General Tires (Firestone), Akron, Ohio

The guillotine. Having slid down the trough on the lower left, the bal...

Picryl description: Public domain photograph of costume accessory, free to use, no copyright restrictions image.

Removing the finished tire from the tire drum. The inner drum shoes are unlocked after the tire is loosened; They are removed, leaving the tire free to slide right off. Then they are replaced and the next tire is started. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Removing the finished tire from the tire drum. The inner drum shoes ar...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a worker, labor, factory, plant, manufacture, industrial facility, 1930s, mid-20th-century industrial photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Covering the beads. Beads are covered with sturdy fabric which builds back down into the sidewall of the finished tire for added strength. Passenger tires are normally supplied with only one wire bead, but truck tires usually have two or more, depending upon the size, weight and number of plies. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Covering the beads. Beads are covered with sturdy fabric which builds ...

Picryl description: Public domain image of an industrial building, factory, workshop, workers, 20th century, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Replenishing gum rubber for tire cords. A new supply of gum for the fabric is being carried to the calendaring machine by this worker. After having been milled originally by processes previously described, the moment of impregnation by auxiliary mills alongside the calendaring machine. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Replenishing gum rubber for tire cords. A new supply of gum for the fa...

Public domain photograph of the United States in the 1930s, portraits, people, events, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Forming the bead with "saucer," this tire builder follows every curve of the tire, shaping and pressing on the new layer. This saucer is matched by another on the far side of the tire which works on the other side at the same time, assuring perfect balance of the finished tire. The saucers may be swiveled in every direction to press the tire at right angles or lightly at a tangent. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Forming the bead with "saucer," this tire builder follows every curve ...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Adding the bead wire. Taking a more solid form, the carcass is now ready for the addition of another bead before the final layers of fabric are added. The bead cover is shaped to the exact curvature of the tire, and fits its diameter perfectly. The bead is forced into position under pressure by the machine controlled with the worker's right hand. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Adding the bead wire. Taking a more solid form, the carcass is now rea...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

A black and white photo of a person laying on a bed. Office of War Information Photograph

A black and white photo of a person laying on a bed. Office of War Inf...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Centering fabric on the drum. The fabric layer is slipped onto the drum, layer upon layer, by the use of a rod forced between the last layer applied and the one being applied while the wheel is spinning. This rod stretches the new fabric sufficiently to permit the loop to fit snugly in place--clear on the carcass. After the fabric is in approximate position, the tire builder checks it for accuracy by stopping the wheel, bending the overhanging edges over to see that they each overhang the same distance. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Centering fabric on the drum. The fabric layer is slipped onto the dru...

Public domain photograph of 1930s America, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Shaping the tire with "saucers." Spinning discs which are delicately controlled by movable arms smooth out each layer of fabric as it is added to the growing carcass, and curves around the sidewall and bead with considerable pressure. In the center foreground, one of these saucers may be seen as this tire builder maneuvers it around the sharp corner of the tire drum. In the right foreground two others pull across from the center to the edges to smooth out each layer. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Shaping the tire with "saucers." Spinning discs which are delicately c...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a factory worker, plant, manufacture, assembly line, industrial facility, early 20th-century industrial architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions. show less

A black and white photo of a man working in a factory. Office of War Information Photograph

A black and white photo of a man working in a factory. Office of War I...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Splicing the line. The loose end in the worker's left hand is feeding an uninterrupted supply of cord to the machine from an emergency spool at the worker's feet. Meantime he searches through the maze of cords to find the one which has broken, to make his splice, and to resume the supply from the regular spool. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Splicing the line. The loose end in the worker's left hand is feeding ...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Tire building. This tire builder starts the carcass by slipping a layer of fabric onto the tire drum. The layer is made with the seam cut on the bias so that there will be no straight-across strain on the tire seams. The layer fits tightly, and each successive layer is banded to the preceding one by applied pressure. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Tire building. This tire builder starts the carcass by slipping a laye...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Splicing the line. The loose end in the worker's left hand is feeding an uninterrupted supply of cord to the machine from an emergency spool at the worker's feet. Meantime he searches through the maze of cords to find the one which has broken, to make his splice, and to resume the supply from the regular spool. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Splicing the line. The loose end in the worker's left hand is feeding ...

Public domain photograph of 1930s working-class Americans, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Making the wire beads. Beads which reinforce the tire and hold it firmly on the rim, are made of the highest grade piano wire, and are extremely tough and durable. They must be made to precisely the correct length, and are foiled on the machine illustrated here. Care must be taken that there are no burrs, slivers or rough spots which might cut into the bead wrapping or fabric. General Tires, Akron, Ohio

Making the wire beads. Beads which reinforce the tire and hold it firm...

Public domain photograph of 1930s-1940s industrial development, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Raw rubber wheeled to mill room. Wagonload of cut rubber is carted from the cutting machine into the "make-up" room where ingredients are gathered, weighed and measured for each batch of rubber to be made up into General tires. Firestone (General Tires). Akron, Ohio

Raw rubber wheeled to mill room. Wagonload of cut rubber is carted fro...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Making the wire beads. Beads which reinforce the tire and hold it firmly on the rim, are made of the highest grade piano wire, and are extremely tough and durable. They must be made to precisely the correct length, and are foiled on the machine illustrated here. Care must be taken that there are no burrs, slivers or rough spots which might cut into the bead wrapping or fabric. General Tires, Akron, Ohio

Making the wire beads. Beads which reinforce the tire and hold it firm...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Sealing and shaping the bead. Each new bead must be sealed into position by this forming tool as well as by use of the solvent-cement compound. Every tire built is the personal achievement of the expert tire builder. Building a larger size truck tire often consumes a full day's work! Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Sealing and shaping the bead. Each new bead must be sealed into positi...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Tying in new spools. This is a highly skilled occupation, and is supervised at this tire company by a man whose previous training was in a weaving mill in Scotland. The deft weaver's knot, which will not pull out, must be tied in the fraction of a second whenever a break occurs, to catch the broken ends together without interrupting the flow of cord. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Tying in new spools. This is a highly skilled occupation, and is super...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Molds automatically open. At the end of the curing time, the mold draws the steam out of the airbag, opens the lid and ejects the tire from the tread pattern. Workers need to do nothing but pull out the finished tire and put in another uncured carcass. General Tires, Firestone, Akron, Ohio

Molds automatically open. At the end of the curing time, the mold draw...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

A black and white photo of bags of cement. Office of War Information Photograph

A black and white photo of bags of cement. Office of War Information P...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

The mill room. Measured batches are delivered to these tire workers, who worked in a room full of batteries of rolling mills. Here, by a rolling process, the rubber is squeezed, pulled, pounded and mixed with the other ingredients until all are blended into a "treated rubber" stock. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

The mill room. Measured batches are delivered to these tire workers, w...

Public domain image of an industrial building, factory, structure, works, 19th-20th century industrial revolution, free to use, no copyright restrictions - Picryl description

View of the creel room. Spools of cord are brought from storage into this creel room, from which they are woven into tire fabric. Each spool is connected by a complicated pulley arrangement to the bank of cords seen in the center of the picture and travels overhead to reach that bank. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

View of the creel room. Spools of cord are brought from storage into t...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Caption card lists some of the printing history of image. Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Informa... More

Leaving this tire builder's hands, this finished carcass is rolled away to the vacuum expanding machines, or to storage until these machine operators are ready for it. Since the rubber throughout the carcass is not yet cured, the tire is still somewhat soft and squashy. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Leaving this tire builder's hands, this finished carcass is rolled awa...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

As the steel rollers revolve, the worker slashes out a section of a size easy to handle and rolls it into an armful. He holds his razor tightly against the drum until the proper amount has rolled up, then makes a quick, diagonal slash across the drum, cutting this piece away from the milling roll, and carries it away to a nearby truck. Usually there are about a half-dozen arm-sized rolls of prepared rubber in each completed batch. They are cut away in succession until all have been used up. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

As the steel rollers revolve, the worker slashes out a section of a si...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

On the mill rollers. First the raw rubber is wedged into the revolving steel drums and mashed into a flat sheet which clings to one of the rollers like clothes sometimes stick to a clothes-wringer. Powders and liquids tossed into the center of this surging mass soon become a part of it. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

On the mill rollers. First the raw rubber is wedged into the revolving...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a worker, labor, factory, plant, manufacture, industrial facility, 1930s, mid-20th-century industrial photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

On the mill rollers. First the raw rubber is wedged into the revolving steel drums and mashed into a flat sheet which clings to one of the rollers like clothes sometimes stick to a clothes-wringer. Powders and liquids tossed into the center of this surging mass soon become a part of it. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

On the mill rollers. First the raw rubber is wedged into the revolving...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

The guillotine. Having slid down the trough on the lower left, the bale of raw rubber is now being squeezed against the knife blades on the left under terrific pressure. These blades fan out into eight selections, cut the rubber into eights like an orange divides into sections. General Tires (Firestone), Akron, Ohio

The guillotine. Having slid down the trough on the lower left, the bal...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Milling fabric stock. The batch nears completion. Smoothly mixed, the batch of rubber has lost all streaks and patterns and has become a solid mass of thoroughly integrated rubber stock. The rubber shown in this picture is quite soft and sticky, characteristic of the gum rubber which is used to impregnate cord fabric. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Milling fabric stock. The batch nears completion. Smoothly mixed, the ...

Public domain photograph of the United States military and military-industrial complex before World War Two, 1930s, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Checking fabric rolling off calendar. Through this calendaring machine, the heated cords are squeezed through warm rubber under terrific pressure which completely insulates each individual cord in its own sheath of rubber, and produces an extremely strong fabric of the weftless type. Close watch is kept to maintain uniform thickness and texture at all times. In front of the worker is the trough into which a fresh supply of special gum rubber is constantly being added. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Checking fabric rolling off calendar. Through this calendaring machine...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Caption card lists some of the printing history of image. Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Informa... More

Tying in new spools. This is a highly skilled occupation, and is supervised at this tire company by a man whose previous training was in a weaving mill in Scotland. The deft weaver's knot, which will not pull out, must be tied in the fraction of a second whenever a break occurs, to catch the broken ends together without interrupting the flow of cord. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Tying in new spools. This is a highly skilled occupation, and is super...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a factory worker, plant, manufacture, assembly line, industrial facility, early 20th-century industrial architecture, free to use, no copyright restrictions. show less

Removing the finished tire from the tire drum. The inner drum shoes are unlocked after the tire is loosened; They are removed, leaving the tire free to slide right off. Then they are replaced and the next tire is started. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Removing the finished tire from the tire drum. The inner drum shoes ar...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

As the steel rollers revolve, the worker slashes out a section of a size easy to handle and rolls it into an armful. He holds his razor tightly against the drum until the proper amount has rolled up, then makes a quick, diagonal slash across the drum, cutting this piece away from the milling roll, and carries it away to a nearby truck. Usually there are about a half-dozen arm-sized rolls of prepared rubber in each completed batch. They are cut away in succession until all have been used up. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

As the steel rollers revolve, the worker slashes out a section of a si...

Picryl description: Public domain image of a worker, labor, factory, plant, manufacture, industrial facility, 1930s, mid-20th-century industrial photo, free to use, no copyright restrictions.

Shaping the tire with "saucers." Spinning discs which are delicately controlled by movable arms smooth out each layer of fabric as it is added to the growing carcass, and curves around the sidewall and bead with considerable pressure. In the center foreground, one of these saucers may be seen as this tire builder maneuvers it around the sharp corner of the tire drum. In the right foreground two others pull across from the center to the edges to smooth out each layer. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Shaping the tire with "saucers." Spinning discs which are delicately c...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Creel room in action. Two spools are needed for each of the endless cords. As fast as a spool runs out, the auxiliary spool is immediately pulled into service. Each time one of the spools is replaced, the new spool is tied to the end of the spool which is unwinding so that there is never an interruption in any cord. Should a cord break, it is immediately replaced from an emergency spool until the break can be repaired. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Creel room in action. Two spools are needed for each of the endless co...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

Lunch on the job. Lunchtime in the creel room does not release workers from watching the flow of the cord. Whereas there is not often an emergency break, someone must be on hand in case the emergency should arise. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Lunch on the job. Lunchtime in the creel room does not release workers...

Public domain photograph of indoor, interior activity, America in the 1930s, free to use, no copyright restrictions image - Picryl description

Shaping the sidewall. Moistening the bead area with a special rubber solvent and cement, the tire builder makes ready to force the overhanging edges down and around to the bead where it will first be anchored, then trimmed. The wheel spins and stops by foot control, leaving both hands free for work upon the tire itself. Firestone (General Tires), Akron, Ohio

Shaping the sidewall. Moistening the bead area with a special rubber s...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More

A black and white photo of a man working in a factory. Office of War Information Photograph

A black and white photo of a man working in a factory. Office of War I...

Actual size of negative is C (approximately 4 x 5 inches). Title and other information from caption card. Transfer; United States. Office of War Information. Overseas Picture Division. Washington Division; 1944... More