It’sa far emptier world today with the passing of Goodyear’s World ofRubber Museum, which will close its doors once and for all on Aug. 28.

The61-year-old museum, a centerpiece display of Goodyear’s innovations,has suffered from a serious lack of attendance. Apparently for much ofthe last two decades. In fact, according to a local news item, themuseum could go for days without a visitor. Long, lonely, quiet days.

Andwhat will we miss? A museum that hasn’t been updated since the 1980s,it appears. Tires like the Aquatred and Assurance were never added. TheGoldsmith battle isn’t mentioned. The tiremaker keeps the museum neatand tidy, though there is no staff or curator. And while the museumhasn’t see any new displays since forever, displays of Indy racecars,chemicals and other activities Goodyear exited have been removed.

The museum opened in 1948 as part of the tiremaker’s 50th anniversary. It wasn’t even part of Wingfoot’s 100th birthday.

Easyas it is to make fun of the museum, it was a valued member of theGoodyear and Akron communities, and, in its day, it was a tremendousmeans to interact (even communicate with) everyday people interested inlearning how tires are made and the contributions Goodyear has made tosociety.

The company is making every effort to find good homesfor the existing displays and some of the items that had long beenremoved from viewing. They will reappear, hopefully, on display atother locales.