The Cooper name has a proud and storied heritage that goes back more than 100 years. In 1915 . brothers-in-law John F. Schaefer and Claude E. Hart expanded their tire repair business and purchased The Giant Tire & Rubber Company in Akron . Ohio . a large-scale tire rebuilding business. In 1926 . Ira J. Cooper developed the ��Cooper Creed�� which focused the company on providing ��good merchandise . fair play . and a square deal.�� The vision of Ira J. Cooper continues at Cooper today.