Continental was founded in Hannover, Germany in 1871 as a rubber manufacturer -Continental-Caoutchouc und Gutta-Percha Compagnie. Today, Continental is the world’s fourth-largest tire manufacturer. Over the years, Continental has had some impressive successes, including ups and downs. Let’s learn a bit more about the Continental Motorcycle Tire history. The Hanover plant began producing bicycles and solid tires only, since the first fuel-powered motorcycle came up in 1894. Almost a quarter of a century after the company’s foundation, Continental was the main force dedicated to tire development. Since then its focus was crucially involved in the technological tire progress being made.