Originally Posted By: HWEaton
Originally tires were white. That's why the Michelin Man is made of white tires. As tire manufacturers started to add more and more black silica compounds and other additives like oil tires became black.
Yes, that's back in the day when tires were made from natural rubber and as you say, before the addition of additives which give the tire strength and durability.
I've often wondered if the white bicycle tires on little kiddies bikes and scooters are made from natural rubber with no additives.