Akron is a city in the state of Ohio in the United States of America. The city is situated in the region of the Great Lakes and is at an approximate distance of 39 miles and south of the Erie lake. It is located close to the little Cuyahoga river. Akron is regarded as the county seat of the Summit County and the latter is within the limits of the Metropolitan Statistical Area of Akron. Akron is the fifth largest city in the State of Ohio and has a steadily increasing population and industrial base.

Even as Akron grows in importance and is en route to becoming one of the most important cities on the map of the USA, there are some facts about the city which remains lesser known. Most people would find these facts interesting. Some of these interesting facts about Akron, Ohio are:
The history of the city dates back to 1825 C.E. when Simon Perkins and Paul Williams decided to set up a town along a proposed dam that was to be built across the Cuyahoga River. The latter project was a brain-child of Dr. Eliakim Crosby who was a pioneer in Summit County. Ruins of this dam can still be seen near the city of Akron.

Back in the days when horse drawn carriages used to be the primary mode of transport, Akron recorded the first automobile in all of Ohio. In 1890, the proto-type automobile was used on the streets of Akron and was fuelled by coal with a steam-engine to operate it.

Akron was the first city in the world to build an electric light mass on the street for the use of the public. The first electric railway in the world also covered Akron, as it extended from Akron to Cleveland.

It was in Akron that Sojourner Truth delivered her famous speech in 1851, when the Ohio Women’s Rights Convention came to Akron. The speech was delivered in the Universalist Old Stone Church present in Akron.

In the first decade of the 20th century, Akron had recorded a population growth of more than 200%, making it, at that time, the most rapidly growing city in all of USA.

During the 20th century, Akron came to be known as the Rubber Capital of the World. As many as four major tire companies including the Goodrich Corporation had their headquarters in Akron. As these companies provided jobs for deaf people, Akron earned the nickname Crossroads of the deaf.

Akron became the seat of research in Polymers during the 2000s. The Akron University became the first institution in the country to have courses on Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering. This earned the city another feather in the cap as it was named the City of Invention after winning the All-America City Award for the 3rd time in 2008.

Akron was ranked 5th in the list of ten most technically advanced cities or havens for technology around the world by Newsweek.

Akron was nicknamed the Meth Capital of Ohio for its production of homemade meth.

Akron was declared as one of the most liveable cities in the world by the National Civic League.

These are only a few of the most interesting yet lesser known facts about Akron, Ohio. One of the United States’ most developed cities, Akron has already claimed a place in its history.