AKRON (March 15, 2004) — A behind-the-scenes look at how Goodyear tires are designed, manufactured and tested will be the subject of a Travel Channel segment at 9 p.m. (EST) tomorrow.
The Goodyear piece is part of the channel's regular weekly “Made in America” program hosted by John Ratzenberger, best known for his portrayal of the character Cliff Clavin on the “Cheers” TV show.
Last May Mr. Ratzenberger and a TV production crew visited Goodyear's Akron corporate headquarters, making stops at the company's World of Rubber museum, Akron Technical Center, test labs and test track to gather footage for the program. During the show he will take viewers on a tour of the company's computerized tire design area and the labs where tires are tested, as well as provide a look at an anechoic chamber. That room, large enough to drive in cars and large trucks, suppresses echoes or reflections and allows tonal characteristics of noise to be evaluated, according to Goodyear.
The “Made in America” show, which began airing weekly in January on the Travel Channel, features behind-the-scenes looks at well-known American brands and products.