The use of color markings on tires is now perceived as a familiar phenomenon. Pirelli applies color marks on sidewalls so Formula 1 viewers can easily distinguish the tire compounds used by drivers such as Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. For ordinary motorists, the brand offers the Color Edition line, allowing them to stand out through the appearance of their tires. However, such solutions are only an echo of far bolder experiments from the past.
In the mid-20th century, Goodyear introduced developments that still look unusual today. These were colored and even glowing tires created on the basis of a material that was new at the time: Neothane.
How Neothane Technology Emerged
In the early 1960s, automotive publications received a press release in which Goodyear announced "one of the most incredible developments" in the history of the tire industry. The new product was based on the Neothane rubber compound, created by chemists William Larson and Anthony Finelli.
The material itself had been developed back in the early 1950s and was initially seen as promising. Its key features differed noticeably from traditional tire manufacturing technologies:
- the tires were formed in a mold at a temperature of about 120 °C
- there was no need for a multilayer construction of rubberized fabric
- the material made it possible to do without cord reinforcement thanks to its own strength
- its grip properties on dry surfaces were not inferior to ordinary rubber
The structure of Neothane was a three-dimensional network, which produced an unusual side effect: semi-transparency. It was precisely this property that pushed engineers toward further experiments.
Color and Light: A Step Beyond Conventional Design
Having discovered the material's semi-transparency, specialists added dyes to it. As a result, tires appeared in various shades, from green and yellow to red, blue, and orange. Promotional materials emphasized that the tires could even be matched to the color of one's clothing.
However, the experiments did not stop there. The next step was the creation of glowing tires. Inside each tire, 18 bulbs were installed, and control was carried out from the cabin using a separate unit next to the steering wheel.
The system made it possible to:
- turn on the illumination of individual wheels
- choose steady light or blinking
- set different modes for each wheel
The promotional materials looked impressive, and interest in the new product was high. Many expected the technology to reach the market soon, but that never happened.
Why the Project Never Reached Mass Production
Despite its striking appearance, the technology revealed serious drawbacks. They were the reason why Neothane tires never went on sale.
The key problems were as follows:
- instability at high speeds: after 100 km/h, grip deteriorated
- poor effectiveness on wet surfaces
- a tendency to overheat during intensive braking
- high cost, significantly exceeding the price of ordinary tires
- potential danger: glowing wheels could disorient other drivers
Engineers tried to eliminate these shortcomings for nearly ten years, but they were unable to achieve an acceptable result.
As a result, the bright idea, in many ways ahead of its time, remained at the experimental stage. Nevertheless, the very fact of its existence shows just how bold engineering solutions could be as early as the middle of the last century.
It is possible that similar technologies may yet return, especially with the development of autonomous control systems. And if that happens, it is worth remembering that the first steps in this direction were taken back in the 1960s.