Tire lettering

In 1940, Alfred B. Poschel invented a rubber transfer method that could apply lettering to tires;[2] however, the decal method failed to gain mass acceptance.

Early automobile tires were made of pure natural rubber with various chemicals mixed into the tread compounds to make them wear better [4].

Mickey Thompson claims the first raised white letter tires in 1970,[7] but many manufacturers put out similar raised white letter tires in the late 1960s and early 1970s, including Goodyear[8] and Firestone.

Initially, it was the tire manufacturers themselves who made the first serious attempts with both Goodyear and Firestone inventing versions,[10][11] in 1987 and 1990, respectively, that added a significant processing difficulty and expense, halting their production.

Independent companies tried all sorts of different materials and methods to produce a durable and effective decal, including laminate [12] and adhesive layers to the tire sidewall prior to thermal transfer of thick, cured rubber articles cut,[13] but nothing gained mass-market acceptance.