Building East Akron : the local vision of F. A. Seiberling and the City of Akron

Abstract

The welfare capitalist endeavors of F.A. Seiberling, president of the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, contributed to a broader trend of structuring the city of Akron for the benefit of the rubber companies. As Goodyear became internationally successful, Seiberling's business ethos adapted from a proprietary form to a corporate form, and his role in Akron reflected the corporate ideology. The inordinate growth of the rubber companies placed a significant demand on the city's infrastructure and housing, and the burden of meeting the demand created an environment of speculation and limited municipal services. The leaders of the rubber industries influenced the local government, society, and eventually the physical environment to meet the needs of industry. The author looked at the multiple situations that led to a municipal environment conducive to industrial dominance. State and local legislative changes, reform efforts of the chamber of commerce, and Seiberling's efforts all served to mold the city of Akron and its citizens for the benefit of the rubber industry.