Viscose was a Rayon manufacturer, once upon a time. Their parent company stopped producing rayon products over a quarter of a century ago now.

Oh wow, I had no idea. And I wouldn't be surprised if this building has been empty since then

I'm familiar with other rayon plants that were once massive. I believe the real death knell for rayon was the conversion from bias-ply to steel belted tires, at the same time tastes were shifting from synthetic fabrics for things like underwear and socks.

Apparently a LOT of rayon once went into tire manufacture... If you've ever driven on bias-ply tires, you don't miss it!

Interesting. I had no idea it was used in tires, nor that steel belt tires had a better ride

I'm no expert on rubber products :) but I understand Rayon was the main belting material in bias ply tires.

I only drove on them a little bit, but they made cornering frightening. I don't know whether you were actually going to fly off the road, or it just sounded like you were going to fly off the road! I presume they simply didn't have the sidewall rigidity we are used to.

It sure explains why people drove a lot slower not that awfully long ago. Cornering at 50 was plenty of adventure on bias tires!

any idea when they started using radials?

i would say by 1980 it was fairly rare to see radials on cars. they seemed to hold on a while longer for some truck tires. not sure why.

my father seemed to be able to find the last ones around... lol!

LOL