Dayco Corporation Historical Collection

The DAYCO Corporation was founded on May 17, 1905 as the Dayton Rubber Company by Col. John C. Hooven, a nationally known industrialist, of Hamilton, Ohio to manufacture garden hose, fruit-jar rings, and other products made of natural rubber. In 1908, John A. MacMillian, a young inventor from Prince Edward Island, joined the company with a new product, the airless tire, which he had patented. He served the company as general manager, company president, and in 1936, retired as the Chairman of the Board of the company. The airless tire proved to be a sales success and was responsible for much of the company's early growth and prosperity. In 1913, the Dayton Rubber Company introduced for sale the first white sidewall tires.

In 1917, ground was broken on a new factory site for the Dayton Rubber Company of more than twenty acres on the main line of the Pennsylvania Railroad. The first unit of the plant was completed and occupied in 1918. Two years later, in 1920, the plant was expanded and was able to double its output.

In 1919, A.L. Freedlander joined the Dayton Rubber (Manufacturing) Company as chief chemist and engineer, and factory manager. In n1921, he initiated the "Diversification Program" which moved the company into the production of varied products throughout the years. In 1936, Freedlander became company president and general manager, a position he held until he was elevated to the position of Board Chairman in 1957. He held the position of Board Chairman until he stepped down in 1968 to become Chairman of the Executive Committee and a Director, positions he held until his death in 1971 at the age of 82 years. Remarkably, Freedlander's career with the DAYCO Corporation spanned 52 years.

Throughout the years, the DAYCO Corporation was responsible for many industry firsts. Among some of the DAYCO Corporation's company firsts were the first pneumatic tire and later the first tubeless pneumatic tire; the first "raw edge" automotive fan belt; the first industrial V-Belt, which has never been substantially modified, and the first successful V-Belt using a fastener (railroads); the first cog-belt; the world's first low-air-pressure tire; the first synthetic rubber printing rollers; the first synthetic rubber tire; the first synthetic rubber textile manufacturing components; the first plastic hose for hairdryers and vacuum cleaners; and the unispace 9500 chair for first and tourist class airline passengers.

In the 1930's, the Dayton Rubber (Manufacturing) Company, entered the textile field, another move toward diversification of products. The company produced vital machinery parts for spinning and weaving machinery by adapting newer types of synthetic rubber for many of the parts. In 1941, a new plant was built in Waynesville, NC to produce textile machinery parts.

During World War II, the Dayton Rubber (Manufacturing) Company made significant contributions to the war effort by producing wartime products. The plant in Dayton, Ohio produced bogie tires for tanks and light-weight, non-collapsible life-giving oxygen hose able to withstand extreme temperature ranges and at the Waynesville, NC plant, pontoons and life rafts were produced. For their efforts, both plants received the Army-Navy "E" Awards.

The Dayton Rubber (Manufacturing) Company, later known as the DAYCO Corporation, acquired many companies throughout the years which led to its successful diversification of products. Some of the Dayton Rubber (Manufacturing) Company's divisions or subsidiaries include(d) the following:

American Latex Products Corporation of Hawthorne, California, acquired in 1952, a principal producer of foam rubber mattresses, cushions, and furniture pads.

Cadillac Plastic and Chemical Co. of Detroit, Michigan, acquired in 1957, responsible for producing plastic sheet, rod, and tubing.

Hardman Aerospace (subsidiary) of West Los Angeles, California, acquired in 1959, whose principle products include aircraft seating, interior components and cargo containers, and aerospace restraint systems.

In 1963, the Cadco Film Division, whose principle product includes solvent cast and shrinkable PVC film, was established.

In 1967, the Los Angeles Standard Rubber Co. (subsidiary), a producer of rubber and silicone seals and gaskets, and miscellaneous aircraft products; and L.E. Carpenter & Company (subsidiary) of Wharton, New Jersey, a producer of high style vinyl wall coverings were acquired. Seward Luggage Manufacturing (subsidiary) of Petersburg, Virginia, a producer of trunks, and soft and hard side luggage; and TA Fastener Company (subsidiary) of Los Angeles, California, a principle producer of fasteners, aircraft hardware, clamps, and precision instrument cases were purchased for cash the same year.

In 1960, the company had officially changes its name from the Dayton Rubber (Manufacturing) Company to the DAYCO Corporation.