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Akron, Ohio

"Rubber Capital of the World"

Once the rubber capital of the world — home to Goodyear, Firestone, and Goodrich — Akron reinvented itself as LeBron James' hometown and a polymer sciences hub.

Founded 1825 | Population 189,423 | Peak 290,351 (1960) | County Summit County

Top 10 Most Important Events for Akron, Ohio

1

1870 Rubber Industry Begins: B.F. Goodrich established the first rubber factory in Akron, beginning the industry that would define the city for a century.

2

1898 Goodyear Founded: Frank Seiberling founded Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, which grew into the world's largest tire maker.

3

1900 Firestone Founded: Harvey Firestone founded Firestone Tire, making Akron home to three of the world's biggest rubber companies.

4

1936 Goodyear Airdock: The massive Goodyear Airdock was built to construct airships — it remains one of the largest buildings in the world without interior supports.

5

2003 LeBron James Drafted: Akron native LeBron James was drafted #1 overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers, putting his hometown on the global sports map.

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Complete Historical Timeline

1825 Government

Founded along Ohio & Erie Canal

1870 Industry

B.F. Goodrich starts rubber industry

1898 Business

Goodyear founded

1900 Business

Firestone founded

1936 Industry

Goodyear Airdock built

1960 Government

Peak population 290,000

1982 Industry

Rubber industry collapses

2003 Sports

LeBron James drafted from Akron

Did You Know?

1

Akron's Goodyear Airdock is so large that clouds can form inside it — it covers 8.5 acres without a single interior support column.

2

LeBron James' I Promise School in Akron provides at-risk students with free tuition, meals, bikes, and guaranteed college scholarships.

3

At its peak, Akron produced over half the tires and rubber products in the entire world.

Famous People from Akron, Ohio

LJ

LeBron James

Screenwriter, Basketball Player · Born Dec 30, 1984 · Age 41

SC

Stephen Curry

Writer, Basketball Player · Born Mar 14, 1988 · Age 37

WQ

Willard Van Orman Quine

Mathematician, University Teacher · Born Jun 25, 1908 · Died Dec 25, 2000 (age 92)

RS

Richard Smalley

Scientist, Professor · Born Jun 6, 1943 · Died Oct 28, 2005 (age 62)

JR

Judith Resnik

Astronaut, Engineer · Born Apr 5, 1949 · Died Jan 28, 1986 (age 36)

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