Our History
From breakthrough innovation to global performance, the milestones that shaped Dunlop.
1887
John Boyd Dunlop creates the first practical pneumatic tire for his son’s tricycle.
1889
The DUNLOP Pneumatic Tyre Company is founded in Dublin, Ireland.
1889
DUNLOP wins their first race in a Belfast cycle event.
1904
Dunlop develops the first automobile tire with a lateral groove pattern on the tread.
1907
DUNLOP competes in the first Isle of Man TT.
1909
Dunlop establishes Japan's first modern rubber factory called “The Dunlop Rubber Co. (Far East), Ltd.” In Naniwacho, Kobe.
1926
Dunlop wins Le Mans for the first time with the Lorraine-Dietrich B3-6 Le Mans piloted by André Rossignol and Robert Bloch.
1927
Dunlop’s tires break the speed record when Sir Henry Segrave drove the Sunbeam 1000 HP to a world record of 203.79 mph.
1930-1939
Dunlop wins Le Mans six times with Bentley, Alfa Romeo, Lagonda, Bugatti, and Delahaye.
1947
Dunlop’s tires once again enabled land speed records to be shattered, contributing to a new world record of 393.949 mph.
1948
Dunlop introduces a tubeless tire with a plastic self-sealing layer on the inner surface casing. This coating prevented loss of air in case of tire damage.
1958
DUNLOP competes in Formula 1 claiming 84 victories.
1969
DUNLOP achieves first ever 100mph average lap at Isle of Man TT.
1969
DUNLOP produces their first motocross tire.
1983
Harley Davidson signs an agreement making Dunlop original equipment on the majority of their motorcycles.
2008
Dunlop introduces Multi-Tread, long wearing compounds without sacrificing cornering grip.
2010
Dunlop’s unbeatable Geomax line begins it’s domination in Supercross and Motocross, winning every national championship since.
2023
Josh Herrin wins the Daytona 200 on Dunlop Sportmax tires, his first of 4 consecutive wins.