In the mid-1980s, studded snow tires were outlawed in parts of Japan (due to wear of road surfaces and dust). Similar bans and use restrictions also began to occur in the United States. Bridgestone® developed different versions of studless snow tires to address these situations. In 1988, Bridgestone introduced the first Blizzak™ tire for consumers (in Japan).

 In 1992, Blizzak tires made their first appearance on the North American continent with sales beginning in Canada. In early 1993 at Steamboat Springs, Colo., Bridgestone Firestone introduced the Blizzak tire to the U.S. marketplace. The first two U.S. cities to have the tires -- Denver and Minneapolis -- experienced brisk sales, encouraging Bridgestone Firestone to enter additional markets.

 In 1994, Blizzak tires were introduced in European markets. (By 1999, Blizzak was being sold in 15 countries including, Japan, United States, Canada, Sweden, Norway, Finland, France, Switzerland, Iceland, Russia, Turkey, Austria, Denmark, Germany and Australia).

 In 1995, Bridgestone Firestone introduced and marketed Blizzak tires in P-metric sizes to support the rapid growth of the light truck and sport utility vehicle (SUV) market segments

  In 1999, Bridgestone Firestone introduced a new generation of Blizzak tires in Steamboat Springs, Colo. The capabilities of the Blizzak WS-50, Blizzak MZ-01 & MZ-02 and the Bridgestone Winter Dueler DM-Z2, designed specifically for the popular light truck and SUV market segments, were featured.

 In 2000, the Blizzak LM-22 was introduced as an H-speed-rated winter tire.

 In 2001, the company introduced the first Blizzak for commercial light trucks, the Blizzak W965, and the Blizzak MZ-03 run-flat tire, which is designed for use on the Lexus SC430. 

  In 2004, the Blizzak DM-Z3 was introduced for modern SUV and light truck fitments and the Blizzak LM-25 premiered as an H-and V-speed rated tire.  In addition, Bridgestone Firestone celebrated the manufacture of its 100-millionth Blizzak tire. And in 2005, the three-millionth Blizzak tire was shipped from Bridgestone Japan to the United States.

 In 2005, the Blizzak Revo1 was announced in eleven Q-speed rated sizes with a non-directional tread design for the 65-60 series sizes and a directional tread design for the 55-45 series sizes.

 In 2006, Bridgestone introduced the Blizzak LM-25 4x4, a studless lamellen winter tire developed for premium SUV and CUV vehicle owners available in 7 H-rated sizes.

 In 2007, Bridgestone welcomed a new addition to the Blizzak family of tires, the Bridgestone Blizzak WS60.  Featuring the company’s UNI-T™ technology, the WS60 incorporated the latest winter tire advancements such as exclusive Tube Multicell™ compound and Nano Pro-Tech™ technology.  Also in 2007, Bridgestone Firestone North American Tire declared the Bridgestone-brand Blizzak tire “The official tire of Winter”.

  In 2009, Bridgestone introduced the Blizzak DM-V1 and LM-60.  The DM-V1 features Bridgestone’s proprietary Nano-Pro Tech rubber compound and Multicell technology.  The LM-60 incorporates continuous lugs and zigzag sipes to improve snow and ice traction.

  In 2010, Bridgestone introduced the Blizzak WS70 in 35 T-speed rated sizes ranging from 15” – 18” and 45 to 70 series.  The WS70 features Bridgestone’s proprietary Nano-Pro Tech rubber compound and improved Multicell technology.