Montgomery County Sentinel

'Rubberless Tires' Reported In Tests By Two Companies
Trade Publication Article Sees Hope For Relieving Shortage In Experiments Of Goodyear And Ford

Hard-pressed motorists of this area, their woes increased by the promise of gasoline rationing, saw at least one ray of hope in last week's news. This came from an article in "Automotive News," trade publication of the automobile industry, which announced that progress had been made by two firms in the manufacture of "rubberless" tires.

Highlights of the article follow:

"Goodyear's terse announcement that it is testing tires 'made without rubber,' followed Ford Motor Company's revelation its engineers have developed a process for making tires using one-sixteenth, or less than one pound, of the 10 pounds previously required in an average automobile tire.

"Whether either company is using reclaimed or synthetic rubber in its new tire instead of crude, remained in doubt although it was reported unofficially that Goodyear officials had declared no rubber- crude, synthetic or reclaimed-is used in that company's casing now undergoing road tests. Further details will be forthcoming after tests are completed.

"In the case of Ford's new casing, however, it is understood that Henry Ford is satisfied with the experiments and is now awaiting governmental okay of the new tire and possible mass-production of it. While the process is a secret, it was learned that a specially-treated fabric is the main ingredient.

"Neither Ford nor Goodyear would discuss tubes which, it is generally agreed in the rubber industry, must be made entirely or largely of crude rubber. However, even though no substitute could be found for crude in tubes, it is believed this would not be a major deterrent . . . since a tube contains only about 1½ pounds of rubber and therefore could be produced with a minimum drain on the nation's stockpile of crude. Moreover, tubes can be patched and usually outwear casings."

The article, written by Pet Wemhoff, managing editor of the trade magazine, also reported that other major tire companies admitted that they have been working on tires to meet the rubber shortage.