Shojiro Ishibashi was born in 1885 in Japan. When he came of age, Ishibashi entered the family business, making tabi, the traditional Japanese footwear.

In 1923, he patented a rubbersoled tabi, which increased his fortunes. He quickly looked to other rubber products to sell, and in 1928 began producing tires. He was the first Japanese manufacturer to do so.

Ishibashi's goal was to sell his products overseas to British and American consumers. He felt he would need an English name for his company. Ishibashi means "stone bridge" in English." As a tip of the hat to fellow rubber manufacturer Harvey Firestone, Ishibashi reversed the words and came up with the Bridgestone Tire Company.

In 1988, Bridgestone bought Firestone. The companies were consolidated in 1990 under a unified organization called Bridgestone/Firestone, Inc.