Dunlop Ltd. was a British multinational company involved in the manufacture of various natural rubber goods. Its business was founded in 1889 by Harvey du Cros and he involved John Boyd Dunlop who had re-invented and developed the first pneumatic tyre. It was one of the first multinationals, and under du Cros and, after him, under Eric Geddes, grew to be one of the largest British industrial companies. J. B. Dunlop had dropped any ties to it well before his name was used for any part of the business. The business and manufactory was founded in Upper Stephens Street in Dublin. A plaque marks the site, which is now part of the head office of the Irish multinational departments store brand, Dunnes Stores.
John Boyd Dunlop
Share of the Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Company Ltd., issued 23 May 1912
A 1914 Dunlop print advertisement for garden hoses
Dunlop Advertising from M. DuMont Schauberg (1925)
William Harvey du Cros was a Dublin-born financier who became the founder of the pneumatic tyre industry by supporting development of the innovations of John Boyd Dunlop and mass-producing Dunlop's tyres.
Harvey du Cros
The du Cros family vault in Finstock churchyard
130–134 Long Acre London showing clockwise Austin Motor Co, Mulliner Motor Carriages, Gladiator Cars, Du Cros Mercedes, Swift cars c. 1910