Many people know Akron as the Rubber Capital of the World, due to the major tire companies having their headquarters there at some time. Companies such as Firestone, Goodrich, Siberling, and Goodyear were based there. Only Goodyear is still based in Akron and most people have seen the Goodyear Blimps at some stage. An interesting fact about these companies is that they gave work to deaf people, giving Akron the nickname ‘Crossroads of the deaf.’ Here are four other bizarre facts about Akron that you probably never would have guessed.
The Birth of Mud Wrestling
The entertaining sport of mud-wrestling was birthed in Akron with the first professional mud wrestling organization formed by Michael Wittrock and Tyler Carroll in the early 1930s. The first competition took place between Mildred Burke and Babe Gordon on January 7, 1938. This crazy sport grew in popularity and has become a part of Akron’s culture, spreading its entertainment throughout the nation.
The First Mass Production Toy Company in the United States
S.C. Dyke Co, with its headquarters in Akron, made its fortune from manufacturing marbles. The founders of the company, which was the nation’s first toy company, believed that all children deserved to own a handful of marbles. Later, the Akron Toy Company became the first mass production toy company in the United States. It only produced one type of toy — clay marbles. Today, there is a museum in Akron bearing testimony to the heritage of the toys that delighted so many children.
The Home of Soap Box Racing
In the early 1930s, Myron Scott, a photographer from a local newspaper in Dayton, Ohio, saw three boys racing soap boxes down a hill. Through a series of events, he ended up hosting a derby in Dayton where a huge crowd showed up to watch. Soap Box Derbies quickly grew in popularity and in 1938, the American Legion sponsored the first derby in Washington DC. Norman Rocca won and went through to the fourth-annual All-American Soap Box Derby at Derby Downs in Akron. This three-lane, 1,100-foot-long racetrack with stadium seating was built in 1936 by the Works Progress Administration, part of President Roosevelt’s New Deal. Since then, each year, the World Soap Box Racing Championships are held in Akron amid a week of citywide celebrations.
A Degree in Corrosion Engineering
The University of Akron has the unusual feature of being the only university in the United States to offer a degree in Corrosion Engineering. Corrosion engineering applies scientific knowledge and technology in various fields to design, develop and implement solutions to check and prevent corrosion. Akron is proud to be part of spreading this specialized discipline.
From mud wrestling to toys, soap box racing to corrosion engineering, Akron has a wealth of history and interesting facts. It is a city that was voted “One of the Most Livable Places in the World.” by the National Civic League. The “Rubber City” has a fascinating history and is worth visiting.
