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Men and Rubber: The Story of Business
This printing of Men and The Story of Business by Harvey S. Firestone is part of the Farnam Street Timeless Classics Series, where we continue with our goal of 'mastering the best of what other people have figured out.' This is one of the books I give away the most.
232 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1926
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July 9, 2025
A surprisingly reflective, principle-driven glimpse into the mind of an industrialist who believed business was more than profit—it was purpose.
I wasn’t expecting Men and Rubber to be this insightful. What I thought might be a dusty memoir about tires turned out to be a sharp, philosophy-laced account of leadership, enterprise, and human character.
Harvey S. Firestone—best known as the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company—writes with a clarity and conviction that still resonates nearly a century later. His core message? Business is not about luck, leverage, or dominance. It’s about thinking. About serving real human needs with integrity. About building something that lasts through both the boom years and the storms.
He doesn’t glamorize his success. In fact, some of the most compelling parts of the book are when he recounts how his company nearly collapsed in the 1920–21 recession. His response—a 25% cut in tire prices at a time when others were retreating—was called madness. But it worked. Not because of fortune, but because of forethought, trust, and bold leadership.
There are pages in this book where you’ll want to underline every sentence. Firestone offers quote-worthy wisdom on competition, people management, pricing strategy, and the morality of enterprise. He believed that a good business must do more than make money—it must keep the respect of its community. That belief feels especially relevant now, in an era dominated by short-term thinking and shareholder-first decision-making.
My only caveat is that the writing can sometimes reflect the era—dense with maxims and occasionally paternalistic in tone. And while Firestone’s legacy is largely admirable, there are aspects of his global ventures (like his rubber plantations in Liberia) that deserve a more critical, modern lens.
Still, Men and Rubber stands as a compelling and surprisingly modern text for entrepreneurs, policy leaders, and anyone who wants to understand what leadership looks like when grounded in principle.
If you’re looking for a business book that combines industrial history with timeless insights, this one is well worth your time.
I wasn’t expecting Men and Rubber to be this insightful. What I thought might be a dusty memoir about tires turned out to be a sharp, philosophy-laced account of leadership, enterprise, and human character.
Harvey S. Firestone—best known as the founder of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company—writes with a clarity and conviction that still resonates nearly a century later. His core message? Business is not about luck, leverage, or dominance. It’s about thinking. About serving real human needs with integrity. About building something that lasts through both the boom years and the storms.
He doesn’t glamorize his success. In fact, some of the most compelling parts of the book are when he recounts how his company nearly collapsed in the 1920–21 recession. His response—a 25% cut in tire prices at a time when others were retreating—was called madness. But it worked. Not because of fortune, but because of forethought, trust, and bold leadership.
There are pages in this book where you’ll want to underline every sentence. Firestone offers quote-worthy wisdom on competition, people management, pricing strategy, and the morality of enterprise. He believed that a good business must do more than make money—it must keep the respect of its community. That belief feels especially relevant now, in an era dominated by short-term thinking and shareholder-first decision-making.
My only caveat is that the writing can sometimes reflect the era—dense with maxims and occasionally paternalistic in tone. And while Firestone’s legacy is largely admirable, there are aspects of his global ventures (like his rubber plantations in Liberia) that deserve a more critical, modern lens.
Still, Men and Rubber stands as a compelling and surprisingly modern text for entrepreneurs, policy leaders, and anyone who wants to understand what leadership looks like when grounded in principle.
If you’re looking for a business book that combines industrial history with timeless insights, this one is well worth your time.
July 30, 2023
I picked up this book because a friend posted a passage to LinkedIn (thank you, Sam!) This is the autobiography of Harvey S. Firestone, founder of Firestone Tire and Rubber Company (founded in 1900, acquired by Bridgestone in 1988). Firestone published the book in 1926. Farnam Street bought the rights and did a reprint.
The story of Firestone is amazing in many ways. What started as a company producing solid tires for horsecarts became a comany selling inflated tires for cars, as Firestone saw the tremendous growth of the automobile. While the story is set a century ago, many of the same lessons that can be drawn from it apply to business today. A few examples:
As a founder, you must look ahead at big new markets that haven’t yet formed.
Around 1900, most people saw automobiles as a fad, but Firestone (inspired by Ford) saw them as a big market. By starting to make pneumatic (i.e. inflated) tires for this market, he was positioned very well. There are parallels to for instance the people who bet big on electric vehicle charging seeing the growth of electric vehicles.
To get deals done, meet people in person.
Firestone recounts how he learned of Ford's announcement that he would produce 2,000 vehicles of one of the earliest models. Firestone traveled from Ohio to Detroit to pitch Ford on the benefits of inflated tires over solid tires. Ford was convinced and they struck a deal, which led Firestone to become the default tire provider to Ford.
To get deals done, move fast.
I loved how Firestone recounted that he was trying to hire his first chemist. The candidate asked for a higher salary and some time to think it over. Firestone granted him the higher salary if he would agree on the spot, calling it a bargain. This story reminds me of a story about how Elon Musk asked a candidate for a role at PayPal to fly to Palo Alto that same week for in-person interviews, then spent the whole night interviewing him, not taking "sometime in the future" for an answer.
Business is a never-ending game of precarious situations.
Firestone built a company over three decades. He recalls a never-ending series of near-death experiences for the company, in which the company's destiny could have gone either way. It is good to appreciate that luck and faith play an important role in business, and that part of the thrill of being a founder or CEO is to play the Infinite Game of keeping the business alive.
Beyond these lessons, it was fun to read about the camping trips that Harvey Firestone, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison would take together. It was a good reminder that friendships are a core part of a life well lived, and that breaks with people who invigorate you matter a lot—so much so that they form a large chunk of Firestone's memoir.
The story of Firestone is amazing in many ways. What started as a company producing solid tires for horsecarts became a comany selling inflated tires for cars, as Firestone saw the tremendous growth of the automobile. While the story is set a century ago, many of the same lessons that can be drawn from it apply to business today. A few examples:
As a founder, you must look ahead at big new markets that haven’t yet formed.
Around 1900, most people saw automobiles as a fad, but Firestone (inspired by Ford) saw them as a big market. By starting to make pneumatic (i.e. inflated) tires for this market, he was positioned very well. There are parallels to for instance the people who bet big on electric vehicle charging seeing the growth of electric vehicles.
To get deals done, meet people in person.
Firestone recounts how he learned of Ford's announcement that he would produce 2,000 vehicles of one of the earliest models. Firestone traveled from Ohio to Detroit to pitch Ford on the benefits of inflated tires over solid tires. Ford was convinced and they struck a deal, which led Firestone to become the default tire provider to Ford.
To get deals done, move fast.
I loved how Firestone recounted that he was trying to hire his first chemist. The candidate asked for a higher salary and some time to think it over. Firestone granted him the higher salary if he would agree on the spot, calling it a bargain. This story reminds me of a story about how Elon Musk asked a candidate for a role at PayPal to fly to Palo Alto that same week for in-person interviews, then spent the whole night interviewing him, not taking "sometime in the future" for an answer.
Business is a never-ending game of precarious situations.
Firestone built a company over three decades. He recalls a never-ending series of near-death experiences for the company, in which the company's destiny could have gone either way. It is good to appreciate that luck and faith play an important role in business, and that part of the thrill of being a founder or CEO is to play the Infinite Game of keeping the business alive.
Beyond these lessons, it was fun to read about the camping trips that Harvey Firestone, Henry Ford, and Thomas Edison would take together. It was a good reminder that friendships are a core part of a life well lived, and that breaks with people who invigorate you matter a lot—so much so that they form a large chunk of Firestone's memoir.
September 6, 2020
Recommended by my Goodreads friend Fabian. Fantastic (audio)book, but very dense. I sped through it the first time, like watching a movie for enjoyment. I will re-read again to absorb fully & critically. Phenomenal business advice from someone who’s truly “been there, done that.”
———
“For 25 years I have been building a business; I have given it all of my time and thought. I am still giving it all of my time and thought, and intend to keep on doing so. I do not know whether I am the SLAVE OR THE MASTER of that business. But THE BIG THING IS THAT I DO NOT CARE WHICH, FOR THE JOB IS WORTH DOING AS EITHER MASTER OR SERVANT. The job is worth doing not only well, but there is a great joy in doing it.”
“All other considerations aside, the very worries and insistent demands on one’s MENTALITY and PHYSIQUE are a joy. For they are TESTS, CHALLENGES. Business is NOT a game. Business is NOT a science. There are too many unknown and unknowable factors ever to permit it to be a science. Perhaps business is a profession, of that I am not sure; but rather I think that BUSINESS COMPREHENDS EVERYTHING. And that is one of the reasons why I like to be in it. Business leads one into every profession, and every walk of life — IT IS ‘THE’ SCHOOL OF EXPERIENCE.”
“I like PEOPLE, and business brings one in close contact with a never ending stream of people. And finally, there is the SUPREME SATISFACTION OF ACCOMPLISHMENT — OF PLANNING TO DO SOMETHING, AND OF CARRYING THROUGH THOSE PLANS AGAINST ALL OBSTACLES TO A FINAL ACCOMPLISHMENT.”
“Business is made up of opportunities for great sacrifices and great accomplishments. IT IS THE MOST ABSORBING OCCUPATION ON EARTH.”
———
“For 25 years I have been building a business; I have given it all of my time and thought. I am still giving it all of my time and thought, and intend to keep on doing so. I do not know whether I am the SLAVE OR THE MASTER of that business. But THE BIG THING IS THAT I DO NOT CARE WHICH, FOR THE JOB IS WORTH DOING AS EITHER MASTER OR SERVANT. The job is worth doing not only well, but there is a great joy in doing it.”
“All other considerations aside, the very worries and insistent demands on one’s MENTALITY and PHYSIQUE are a joy. For they are TESTS, CHALLENGES. Business is NOT a game. Business is NOT a science. There are too many unknown and unknowable factors ever to permit it to be a science. Perhaps business is a profession, of that I am not sure; but rather I think that BUSINESS COMPREHENDS EVERYTHING. And that is one of the reasons why I like to be in it. Business leads one into every profession, and every walk of life — IT IS ‘THE’ SCHOOL OF EXPERIENCE.”
“I like PEOPLE, and business brings one in close contact with a never ending stream of people. And finally, there is the SUPREME SATISFACTION OF ACCOMPLISHMENT — OF PLANNING TO DO SOMETHING, AND OF CARRYING THROUGH THOSE PLANS AGAINST ALL OBSTACLES TO A FINAL ACCOMPLISHMENT.”
“Business is made up of opportunities for great sacrifices and great accomplishments. IT IS THE MOST ABSORBING OCCUPATION ON EARTH.”
July 29, 2023
Firestone Tires was founded in 1900 by Harvey Firestone. This book is written by the founder about the first 25 years of the company. I was shocked at how many pertinent lessons on running a business there were, more than 100 years since the book was written! It is somewhat ironic that after Firestone died, the company fell prey to many of the dangers he cautioned against, but the first half of the company’s life is fascinating to read about.
If you want to read the book, be warned - it’s dated and cringey in some parts reflecting racist and sexist attitudes that were deemed acceptable a century ago. And Firestone himself isn’t exactly a wholly virtuous character with the Liberian plantation controversy breaking out a decade after the book was written. But you gotta love the man’s commitment and dedication to the eternal quest of keeping the business alive. Lots of great lessons
If you want to read the book, be warned - it’s dated and cringey in some parts reflecting racist and sexist attitudes that were deemed acceptable a century ago. And Firestone himself isn’t exactly a wholly virtuous character with the Liberian plantation controversy breaking out a decade after the book was written. But you gotta love the man’s commitment and dedication to the eternal quest of keeping the business alive. Lots of great lessons
November 6, 2015
I almost gave up on this book because it started off as random advice with no context. But once the story started everything started to make sense and I found myself really enjoying it towards the end. The early automobile industry reminds me a lot of Silicon Vally today. I think this book is a great read for anyone in the tech industry or who wants to be a CEO some day.
February 27, 2018
A good history but a bit boring read.
June 27, 2025
Excellent book
February 3, 2024
Men and Rubber
The purpose is essential. What need or want are you addressing for people? It would help if you had time and space to think continuously. You are not in business unless entirely in your business (most of your net worth). When the rubber business struggled, they almost went out, but instead, they thought thoroughly of the ends and potential consequences, sought counsel, and then took action. They survived and thrived in a down period for the industry due to careful thought. Constantly rethink question assumptions. Think about the people in your business. Are they thinkers or executors? Make sure you think wisely.
Swapping horses and ideas
A good businessman always balances his affairs to survive poor periods, and having a surplus helps. They can control circumstances and not be influenced by financial circumstances. His father taught him how to take care of his affairs. A man has to get a perspective of different businesses to look outside of himself and his business, or else he might not think and become a creature of habit.
Keep your tongue short and listen more. Continuously develop new skills. He became a traveling salesman and, as part of this, learned that it pays to talk to a big business versus a small business, as a prominent business always wants to make more money. In contrast, a small business might be so caught up in its affairs they don't see the immense opportunity. Find opportunity in what you believe in, then capitalize on it. Understand banking and accounting, or you won't get the resources to grow. No banker cares about prospects. They want the facts and figures.
While competing against more prominent rubber manufacturers, they focused on quality and specialization of carriage tires to beat competitors even though they could not compete on price. One specialization was roll tires to reduce the amount of inventory and different SKUs. He saw that gas cars were rapidly coming online and had to move into pneumatic tires. This industry was already sown up in patents. He knew that you have to innovate and provide for the future. The first patent was in 1848, and tubes were put on bikes. He couldn’t build a clincher because the association did not grant him access to the patent, so he had to find a better way. This led to the development of the side wall tire, which is still used today, but he had to convince the market to buy something that only Firestone could make at the time, which was less standard clincher. So he went to partner with Ford, given how much production they would have. They were both outsiders, and they trusted each other.
Managing an organization is not about delegation. Question common sense as must time here is a more straightforward way. Always seek improvement in the process.
Human relations, pay the best, and educate your workforce to make them better overall. Help your men help themselves and improve the community so people want to stay.
A few lessons on selling go back to the first principles: let the product do the selling, dont focus on schemes. There is no free lunch.
Organizations can reduce efficiency. Don't forget the actual goal simplifies the org to keep the right people accountable.
There is nothing impersonal about a business. You have to expand on profits or profits + stock. Ensure employees own stock, too, so they are invested in the enterprise. You want them to care more about the dividend than their salary.
Firestone went camping with some interesting titans of industry at the time. He outlines his experience with Edison and Ford. These two men cared little about what money could do for them but more about what they could do for society. I see further why Musk is compared to these characters of history. Edison was well-read and always knew about any topic, including rubber, which Firestone thought he was more knowledgeable than himself and his chemist. They went camping with their wives, President Harding and the first wife.
The greatest lesson Firestone got from his time with Edison and Ford is to go it alone. It doesn't matter if someone else has tried you should try it yourself.
The purpose is essential. What need or want are you addressing for people? It would help if you had time and space to think continuously. You are not in business unless entirely in your business (most of your net worth). When the rubber business struggled, they almost went out, but instead, they thought thoroughly of the ends and potential consequences, sought counsel, and then took action. They survived and thrived in a down period for the industry due to careful thought. Constantly rethink question assumptions. Think about the people in your business. Are they thinkers or executors? Make sure you think wisely.
Swapping horses and ideas
A good businessman always balances his affairs to survive poor periods, and having a surplus helps. They can control circumstances and not be influenced by financial circumstances. His father taught him how to take care of his affairs. A man has to get a perspective of different businesses to look outside of himself and his business, or else he might not think and become a creature of habit.
Keep your tongue short and listen more. Continuously develop new skills. He became a traveling salesman and, as part of this, learned that it pays to talk to a big business versus a small business, as a prominent business always wants to make more money. In contrast, a small business might be so caught up in its affairs they don't see the immense opportunity. Find opportunity in what you believe in, then capitalize on it. Understand banking and accounting, or you won't get the resources to grow. No banker cares about prospects. They want the facts and figures.
While competing against more prominent rubber manufacturers, they focused on quality and specialization of carriage tires to beat competitors even though they could not compete on price. One specialization was roll tires to reduce the amount of inventory and different SKUs. He saw that gas cars were rapidly coming online and had to move into pneumatic tires. This industry was already sown up in patents. He knew that you have to innovate and provide for the future. The first patent was in 1848, and tubes were put on bikes. He couldn’t build a clincher because the association did not grant him access to the patent, so he had to find a better way. This led to the development of the side wall tire, which is still used today, but he had to convince the market to buy something that only Firestone could make at the time, which was less standard clincher. So he went to partner with Ford, given how much production they would have. They were both outsiders, and they trusted each other.
Managing an organization is not about delegation. Question common sense as must time here is a more straightforward way. Always seek improvement in the process.
Human relations, pay the best, and educate your workforce to make them better overall. Help your men help themselves and improve the community so people want to stay.
A few lessons on selling go back to the first principles: let the product do the selling, dont focus on schemes. There is no free lunch.
Organizations can reduce efficiency. Don't forget the actual goal simplifies the org to keep the right people accountable.
There is nothing impersonal about a business. You have to expand on profits or profits + stock. Ensure employees own stock, too, so they are invested in the enterprise. You want them to care more about the dividend than their salary.
Firestone went camping with some interesting titans of industry at the time. He outlines his experience with Edison and Ford. These two men cared little about what money could do for them but more about what they could do for society. I see further why Musk is compared to these characters of history. Edison was well-read and always knew about any topic, including rubber, which Firestone thought he was more knowledgeable than himself and his chemist. They went camping with their wives, President Harding and the first wife.
The greatest lesson Firestone got from his time with Edison and Ford is to go it alone. It doesn't matter if someone else has tried you should try it yourself.
January 9, 2020
Very good „old school“ business book.
The author was in close contact with Henry Ford and Edison so no small fry by any means and he undoubtedly knows a lot about business.
No nonsense just the way I like it.
I listened to it due to not being able to find a copy for an reasonable price :( This should get back in print !
The author was in close contact with Henry Ford and Edison so no small fry by any means and he undoubtedly knows a lot about business.
No nonsense just the way I like it.
I listened to it due to not being able to find a copy for an reasonable price :( This should get back in print !
May 29, 2024
Every business problem we face today, described 100 years ago by Harvey Firestone in the story of his company. Absolutely an amazing read, the man pulls no punches and just serves straight up what he is thinking.
This is, quite literally, "the story of business". Absolutely worth the time, best business read of the year so far!
This is, quite literally, "the story of business". Absolutely worth the time, best business read of the year so far!
December 5, 2016
I really enjoyed this book and even better to be read after My Life and Work by Henry Ford.
August 8, 2023
This book was cool! Written from the heart by an intelligent mind.
August 2, 2023
Great book.
Great book, is has so many gems on it. Thinkers and doers like Mr. Harvey Firestone made America great. I hope that the current generations don’t destroy this. When his business suffered the economic crisis in 1920 he discovered that his sales department had become complacent and his solution to the challenge was admirable. He thought for himself. He cared for his people. He saw nothing as impossible. When the situation required him to change he did it. He always procured to have money in cash to be well positioned to challenges and opportunities. This is a book worth reading. It has a lot of lessons.
Great book, is has so many gems on it. Thinkers and doers like Mr. Harvey Firestone made America great. I hope that the current generations don’t destroy this. When his business suffered the economic crisis in 1920 he discovered that his sales department had become complacent and his solution to the challenge was admirable. He thought for himself. He cared for his people. He saw nothing as impossible. When the situation required him to change he did it. He always procured to have money in cash to be well positioned to challenges and opportunities. This is a book worth reading. It has a lot of lessons.
June 28, 2025
I couldn't believe how relevant this book was to business and sales today. You get a deep understanding of the intense competition, the strategy, the organizational structures of the time, and how little those have changed.
March 25, 2020
Holy Cow! I had such high hopes! This author is terrible. The author's words are terrible. Even the NARRATOR is bad! I listened to it..... and I wishes I wouldn't have. 2 stars.
May 7, 2025
3,5. Muy bueno al principio. Después leí muy por encima las historias de viajes con Ford y Edison. Cero interesante para lo que buscaba de la lectura. Luego recupera algo hacia el final.
July 14, 2025
excellent book
I’d give it 6 stars if I could, just buy the dang thing. Who knew the Firestone story was so inspiring and the man such a deep thinker
I’d give it 6 stars if I could, just buy the dang thing. Who knew the Firestone story was so inspiring and the man such a deep thinker
October 10, 2025
Great book to meet a great business mind
Still relevant 100 years later. I love hearing the way great minds think about life and this is no exception.
Still relevant 100 years later. I love hearing the way great minds think about life and this is no exception.
April 21, 2018
Some timeless insights (and hard common sense) on the traits and thinking patterns that make a good owner operator type CEO.
September 27, 2025
Surprisingly good! Some great business thoughts as well interesting stories about Henry Ford and Thomas Edison. The book is a little uneven at parts, but overall, I am very glad to have read it.
Want to read
June 8, 2025Shane Parish review: Most business leaders panic in a crisis. Harvey Firestone thrived.
When a brutal recession hit, he didn't flinch. "The situation did not frighten me. It put new life into me." His team was falling apart, but he saw opportunity where others saw disaster. He cut prices aggressively, jumped into sales himself, and came out the other side with a company that was stronger than before.
This episode is different. I built it around Harvey Firestone's autobiography, Men and Rubber, which I've probably given away more than any other book. Written in 1926, it shocks everyone who reads it with how much practical wisdom gets packed into those pages. And how current it still feels a century later.
You'll discover the greatest aid to judgment that exists, why obsessing over inputs beats chasing results, and how one man bounced back to build an empire that thrives today.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
When a brutal recession hit, he didn't flinch. "The situation did not frighten me. It put new life into me." His team was falling apart, but he saw opportunity where others saw disaster. He cut prices aggressively, jumped into sales himself, and came out the other side with a company that was stronger than before.
This episode is different. I built it around Harvey Firestone's autobiography, Men and Rubber, which I've probably given away more than any other book. Written in 1926, it shocks everyone who reads it with how much practical wisdom gets packed into those pages. And how current it still feels a century later.
You'll discover the greatest aid to judgment that exists, why obsessing over inputs beats chasing results, and how one man bounced back to build an empire that thrives today.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...
February 16, 2025
Interesting re-release of a book seemingly close to a century old, it had some interesting quotable sections, background in the relationships between tycoons of which I was previously unaware, and a sort of enduring rhythm about business and the American ethos that was compelling and curious to experience.
I liked it, though certainly it may be much abused in some circles and isn’t entirely a happy story, but it is fascinating.
I liked it, though certainly it may be much abused in some circles and isn’t entirely a happy story, but it is fascinating.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews