The 1940s are appropriately known as “the war years”. During the first half of the decade, most of the world’s countries were engaged in combat. World War II began in 1939, and America entered the war two years later, in 1941.
As soon as the war began, automobile production was halted so that resources could be devoted to building military equipment. Tire production was also put on hold.
Vogue Tyre soon found itself at a crossroads that would ultimately lead to new ownership and exciting changes.
WORLD WAR II AND THE GREATEST GENERATION
Although the 1940s marked the end of The Great Depression, the decade was far from trouble-free. In 1939, Hitler, the infamous leader of the Nazi Party, and his troops invaded Poland. Two days later, France and Britain declared war on Germany, setting World War II into motion.
Before invading Poland, Hitler had signed agreements with Japan and Italy, creating the Axis Alliance. Two years later, in 1941, the Japanese bombed a U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. The attack caused the United States to declare war on Japan, and, as a result, Germany and the other Axis members declared war on America.
World War II would wage on for six years, leaving more than 75 million people (3% of the world's population) dead.
Those who lived through the war (and were born during The Great Depression) are aptly known as “The Greatest Generation”. The unprecedented challenges and hardships the group endured made them inventive, courageous, and resilient.
As of 2017, nearly 4 million members of the Greatest Generation were still alive, providing a testament to their strength.
ECONOMIC RECOVERY USHERS IN THE DAWN OF THE 1950S CAR CULTURE
From 1941 to 1946, the production of civilian cars ceased. All manufacturing efforts were focused on creating tanks, planes, and other machines for the war. That left American consumers with a pent-up desire for new automobiles, even if they did not have the money to afford a car.
Once World War II ended, many companies returned to producing consumer goods. As a result, new jobs were created, and the economy boomed. For the first time, American families had the opportunity to buy homes – and cars.
Consumer automobile production also resumed at the end of the war. Now, there were cars available, and Americans had the money to buy them. Many vehicle owners also began modifying their cars to add a personal touch.
In this way, the 1940s opened the door for the 1950s car culture that would become forever immortalized in movies, such as American Graffiti and Grease. Because of this automotive revolution, enthusiasts began customizing all aspects of their cars, including the tires.
And that put Vogue Tyre (and its new owner, Loyd Dodson) in an excellent position to expand the brand.
UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP, VOGUE BECOMES A NATIONWIDE BUSINESS
As was mentioned, during the war, tire production was brought to a halt. Because of this, Loyd Dodson of Dodson Limited was able to purchase Vogue Tyre at an affordable price. Dodson bought the company from its original owners: Harry Hower and the Woodbury family.
The acquisition proved to be a smart business move. When Vogue’s production line resumed, the automobile industry was doing well, and there was an increased demand for tires. This allowed Dodson to grow Vogue Tyre into a nationwide business, which helped set the foundation for the network the company has today.
Shortly after Dodson purchased Vogue, in 1945, the company continued to invest in tire innovation. The Vogue brand continued to grow in sales and reputation. Vogue Tyres would be touted by many – including Rod and Custom magazine – as the “preferred tire for street and track use”.
THE VOGUE BRAND REMEMBERS LESSONS LEARNED DURING THE 1940S
Loyd Dodson was typical of “The Greatest Generation” in that he worked tirelessly to achieve his dreams. And one of those dreams was to see Vogue Tyre become a nationwide success.
Today, Dodson’s aspirations live on throughout America. Vogue now has a nationwide network of dealers and distributors, along with three separate customization companies - Vogue Tyre and Rubber, E&G Classics, and Custom Vehicle Design.
The lessons learned by Dodson during the 1940s carry on today. Innovation, hard work, and resilience are still values at the core of the Vogue Tyre Company. It has been that way for over 100 years, and it will continue to be that way for 100 more.