Brief History of Akron, Ohio - The Rubber City

From Wikipedia

Akron (pronounced /ˈækrən/) is the fifth largest city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Summit County. The municipality is situated on the Ohio and Erie Canal and Little Cuyahoga River, approximately 39 miles south of Cleveland midway between New York City and Chicago. As of 2000, the city proper had a total population of 217,074, being the fifth largest city in Ohio and 81st in the United States. The Akron Metropolitan Statistical Area, covers both, Summit and Portage counties. In 2000, the area had a population of 694,960 and in 2009, estimates placed the population at 699,935. Akron is also part of the larger Cleveland-Akron-Elyria Combined Statistical Area, which in 2000 had a population of 2,945,831, and ranked as the country's 14th largest. Like many former urban manufacturing centers of the U.S. Rust Belt, Akron's population has declined, falling from a peak of 290,351 in 1960, to just over two-thirds of that today.

Due to spawning many industries in the 1800s, Akron became a boom town, as the fastest growing city in America. Some well-known industries that began in Akron include, American trucking, cereal, toy and marble, rubber, and tire. Despite its size, the city is known to be first in many experiences aside from industry such as, the first long distance electric railway, police patrol vehicle, human testing of iodised salt known as the Akron Experiment, and team to win the NFL Championship. Popularized in the 19th century, the Akron Plan is used in many churches.

Primary industries supporting Akron's economy in current day include, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, FirstEnergy, FirstMerit Bank, Gojo Industries, and Roadway Express. Rubber and airship development made the city essential during World War II. In the late 20th century, Akron started gradually becoming the center of polymer research, having the Goodyear Polymer Center located on The University of Akron campus with the soon to be finished, National Polymer Innovation Center. In the 21st century, the city's economy began to revitalize through continued efforts in industry and media notoriety from NBA All-star LeBron James. Akron was also list by Newsweek as one of ten High-Tech Havens, prominent in the Information Age. In 2008, the city was awarded the City Livability Award for remodeling all of its public schools to serve as community centers all year round. Inducted into the National Civic League Hall of Fame in 2008, the city won the award twice before, in 1981 and in 1995 for creating the first Joint Economic Development District. In 2009, the National Arbor Day Foundation designated Akron as a Tree City USA for the 14th time. Akron also annually hosts the All-American Soap Box Derby, WGC-Bridgestone Invitational, Founders Day (Alcoholics Anonymous), and the National Hamburger Festival.

Residents of Akron are referred to as "Akronites". Nicknames used for the city include "Rubber Capital of the World," "Rubber City," "City of Invention," and "Tire City".

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