Pioneer aviator Louis Blériot makes history with the first flight across the English Channel in 1909. Cord fiber fabric is more pliable, representing a significant upgrade from the stiffer linen square-woven fabric. In 1921, Continental is the first German company to launch the cord tire on the market. The company has tremendous success in these endeavors from the very start – and hasn't stopped ever since.Ĭarbon black is adopted for tire production in 1926, used as a reinforcing filler to give the tire more resistance to wear and aging – and its characteristic color. This shameful episode is deeply regretted and was investigated in a historical study published in 2020.Īt the beginning of the 20th century, Continental embraces a transformative change in its manufacturing focus: automobile tires. Like many industrial operations in Germany at the time, Continental uses forced labor supplied by the so-called “Third Reich”. Four consecutive victories in the German Grand Prix, four wins in the North African Tripoli race, three in Italy, plus numerous speed records help racing drivers like Rudolf Caracciola, Berndt von Rosemeyer and Hans Stuck achieve international fame.Īfter the outbreak of World War II in 1939, tire and rubber output is closely regulated to meet military requirements for truck and aircraft tires, and the manufacture of clothing, footwear, and other supplies. One result is the patent for tubeless car tires, granted to the company in 1943.īetween 19, Mercedes and Auto-Union (known as Audi today) cars fitted with Continental racing tires have a formidable streak of racing triumphs. With the end of the war in 1945, the British military government grants permission for the Hanover factories to resume production.ĭuring the war, researchers continue to work on new designs and technologies. Drivers like Stirling Moss, Karl Kling, and Juan Manuel Fangio won the French, British, Dutch, and Italian Grand Prix in cars fitted with high-speed Continental tires. Working closely with Daimler-Benz and Porsche, Continental repeats its pre-war successes on the race track between 19. In 1952, Continental offers the first tires in Europe specially designed for winter and freezing conditions, М+S (Mud and Snow). These tires are considerably superior in reliability compared to the traditional tires. In 1955 Continental is the first German company to begin manufacturing tubeless tires for passenger cars, taking into account automobile manufacturer requirements. The company introduces the letter “R” for designation of these tires, which subsequently becomes standard for tire-makers all over the world. Today, the ContiEcoContact is now in its fifth generation and continues to be ranked best-in-class by independent tests.Ĭontinental begins to mass produce radial tires for the first time in 1960. Continental launches the ContiEcoContact, the world’s first ever sustainable tire, which proves that care for the environment doesn’t need to take a back seat to performance or safety.Įngineers paid particular attention to lowering the rolling resistance and tire wear, so the ContiEcoContact would last far longer and leave significantly less rubber residue on the tarmac (compared to a conventional tire).Īnother advantage for the environment – and the driver’s running costs – is that it improves the fuel efficiency of the vehicle. In considering the ecological impact of the tire, a new seed is planted in 1991. In 1998, the company reinforces its position as a global tire manufacturer by adding sites in Argentina, Mexico, South Africa, and Slovakia. Later, Continental is officially recognized by Guinness World Records for selling the fastest road-legal tires in the world. The ContiSportContact 2 Vmax is unveiled in 2003, the world’s first road tire approved for speeds of up to 360 km/h. Simultaneously, the company boosts its market position in Europe, North America, and Asia. In 2007, Continental acquires Siemens VDO Automotive AG and became one of the top five suppliers in the automotive industry worldwide. Applying a totally unique combination of rubber recycling and truck tire retreading, Continental develops a sustainable solution that extends the service life of tires while considerably lowering costs. The ContiLifeCycle rolls out in 2013, addressing the service life of Continental truck tires. The lab conducts groundbreaking research into the cultivation and processing of Russian dandelions as an alternative source of raw material to the rubber tree, a major leap forward in environmentally-friendly tire production. The experimental laboratory “Taraxagum Lab Anklam” is opened in 2018 in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Germany.
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