Automotive Hall of Fame inducts Bridgestone founder

Oct. 3, 2006

Bridgestone Corp. founder Shojiro Ishibashi has been inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame.

Ishibashi, who died in 1976, established Bridgestone Corp.'s precursor, Bridgestone Tire Co. Ltd., in 1931.

"Ishibashi was a pioneer in the Japanese tire industry," say Bridgestone officials. "His marketing innovations began with creating the name of his tire company, reversing the English language translation of his name, 'stone bridge,' to create a more global sounding company name, 'Bridgestone.'"

Other 2006 Automotive Hall of Fame inductees include vehicle designers Niccio Bertone and Bruco Sacco, former Ford Motor Co. President Arjay Miller, NASCAR's Bill France Jr.; AutoNation founder Wayne Huizenga; and late race car driver Dale Earnhardt.