Sewell Cushion Wheel (Detroit, Michigan)

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Located at 6468-6470 Gratiot Avenue, the Sewell Cushion Wheel Company manufactured a cushioned tire designed by William H, Sewell who came to Detroit from Ireland in 1907. The Sewell Cushion tire was a bridge between old fashioned solid rubber tire and the later air filled pneumatic tire. The flanged rubber design provided some relief from the hard bumpy ride of the solid rubber tire, but could not compete with the better ride offered by pneumatic tires. The Sewell Cushion Wheel was used by many fire engines throughout America although they were not standard equipment.

Vulcanizing and tire setting took place in a three story building facing Gratiot Avenue, while wheel making and final assembly was carried out in a six story building fronting on Beaufait Street which was constructed in 1916. With the widespread adoption of pneumatic tires, the company switched to the manufacture of automotive components.

www.geocities.ws/sewell_wheels/