Firestone in Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1942. Firestone was originally based in Akron, Ohio, also the hometown of its archrival, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. The company initiated operations in 1900 with 12 employees.[2] Together, Firestone and Goodyear were the largest suppliers of automotive tires in North America for over three-quarters of a century. In 1906 Firestone was chosen by Henry Ford for the Model T. Photo by John Vachon. Vintage photo restored by Kathy Weiser-Alexander.