Trivia

Hard

What Color Were Early Automobile Tires?

White
Navy Blue
Orange
Green
An early advertisement featuring the Michelin Man.
H. L. Roowy (Artist)/Michelin

Answer: White

Although it would be easy to assume that the deep black color of modern tires was simply the color that tires have always been, the earliest tires were completely opposite in color. Before the introduction of carbon black as a preservative and strengthener in the early 20th century, tire rubber was a semi-translucent white color that looked quite similar to a gum rubber eraser.

This is also why the Michelin Man, the iconic mascot of the Michelin tire company—seen here in one of his earliest iterations—was depicted in white, a color as far removed from the inky black of modern tires as you can get.

More Trivia Questions

Trivia

Hard

The Finnish People Survived A Great Famine In The 1860s By Eating?

Trivia

Hard

Which Band Got Together Because the Members Were Running From a Gun Fight?

Trivia

Very Hard

The First Cartoon Aired With Stereo Sound Was?

Trivia

Hard

Which Video Game Franchise Features Indestructible and Vengeful Chickens?

Trivia

Hard

Which Animal Has Been Observed Using Sticks To Lure In Prey?

Trivia

Hard

A Large Breeding Colony Of Penguins On The Falkland Islands Thrives Thanks To?

Trivia

Hard

Sci-Fi Author Ernest Cline Loaned His DeLorean To Fantasy Author George Martin In Exchange For?

Trivia

Hard

Which Hollywood Action Hero Has A Spider Named After Him?

Trivia

Hard

Which Of These Popular Side-Scrolling Video Games Was Created As Satire?