1900

The first German airship LZ 1 uses Continental's balloon material to seal the gas bags.

1901

The first Daimler-produced car to be called Mercedes achieves a sensational victory on Continental pneumatics in the Nice-Salon-Nice car race.

1904 Continental presents the world's first automobile tire with a patterned tread.

1905 Continental produces riveted anti-skid tires, a forerunner of steel-studded tires.

1907 The first edition of Continental's Road Atlas for motorists and motorcyclists is published.

1908 Continental invents the detachable rim for saloon cars - a remarkable innovation to help save time and effort when changing a tire.

1909 Specimens of synthetic rubber developed at the Bayer laboratories are successfully vulcanized at Continental and processed to make the first test tires. Louis Blériot, the pioneer aviator, makes his historic Channel flight. The fuselage and wings of his plane are covered with Continental's Aeroplan material.

1912 Construction of an administration building designed by architect Peter Behrens begins in Vahrenwalder Street. In 1986, this building is bought by the Hanover City Council to house a new technology center.