Why Are Car Tyres Black? The Surprising History of Tyre Colours

When you look at your car, there’s one thing you probably don’t even question — the tyres are black. But have you ever wondered why car tyres are black and not white, red, or even blue? It might seem like an odd thought, but the story behind tyre colour is a fascinating look into automotive history and innovation.

Tyres Weren’t Always Black

Believe it or not, tyres weren’t always black. In fact, in the earliest days of transportation, tyres were a pale, off-white colour — the natural shade of rubber. If you’ve ever seen the Michelin Man, also known as Bibendum, you’ve already gotten a glimpse of what those early tyres looked like.

The Michelin Man, created in 1894, is made up of white tyres stacked into a human-like figure. His colour wasn’t just a design choice — it reflected the natural colour of the rubber tyres used at the time.

From White to Black — What Changed?

In the early days, tyres didn’t need to be overly durable. On bicycles and motorcycles, they only needed to support relatively light weights and didn’t require long lifespans. However, as the automobile industry took off, especially with the arrival of Ford’s Model T in the early 1900s, tyre performance requirements changed dramatically.

Cars were heavier, traveled faster, and were used for much longer distances. That’s when the limitations of natural rubber tyres started to show.

The Introduction of Carbon Black

In 1910, a chemist named George Oenslager from B.F. Goodrich discovered that adding carbon black to tyre rubber significantly improved durability and strength.

Carbon black, essentially a very fine soot, dates back thousands of years — even to the time of prehistoric cave paintings. When mixed into tyre rubber, it made the tyres stronger, more flexible, and resistant to wear. It also helped distribute heat more evenly, improving grip and extending the lifespan of the tyres.

This innovation was perfectly timed for the global automotive boom and the demands of World War I, which required tougher, more reliable tyres.

By 1917, Black Tyres Were the Standard

With the clear benefits of carbon black, tyre manufacturers quickly adopted the practice. By 1917, black tyres had become the new norm — a tradition that has remained for more than 100 years. Even with today’s advancements like synthetic rubber, steel belts, and modern additives, carbon black is still a key ingredient in tyre manufacturing.

Why Is the Michelin Man Still White?

Here’s an interesting twist: If tyres have been black for over a century, why is the Michelin Man still white?

It turns out that Bibendum’s creation in 1894 predates the widespread use of carbon black in tyres. There was a brief period in the 1920s when he was shown in black tyres for some advertisements, but ultimately, Michelin returned him to his iconic white form.

The exact reason for this isn’t fully confirmed, but it’s believed to have been a design and branding decision rather than anything more controversial. White tyres stood out more in advertisements, and keeping him white preserved his instantly recognisable look.

The Weirdest Trend — Tyre Dyeing

If you think about it, it’s strange that black is the only tyre colour option today. In the past, there were even trends of tyre dyeing, where car owners would colour their tyres in shades like red or blue. However, the practicality and durability of carbon black meant coloured tyres never really caught on — especially when performance and safety became the priority.

In Conclusion

Next time you’re admiring your car, spare a thought for those pale rubber tyres of the past and the clever science that turned them into the durable black tyres we rely on today. From early zinc oxide mixtures to the discovery of carbon black, tyres have come a long way — and now you know why black is here to stay.