Episode 12: Raybestos and the Brake Pad Revolution

Did the auto industry know brake dust was killing mechanics? By 1935, yes—and they agreed to stay quiet. On October 1, 1935, Raybestos president Sumner Simpson wrote to Johns-Manville: "I think the less said about asbestos, the better off we are." That silence lasted 50 years, excluded 900,000 brake workers from health studies, and left Connecticut playgrounds paved with asbestos waste.

Key Takeaways

• 900,000 brake mechanics worked in the U.S. by 1975—none appeared in corporate health studies for 50 years.
• October 1, 1935: Simpson-Brown correspondence established agreement to suppress asbestos health information.
• 47-year gap between documented danger (1930s) and first successful brake manufacturer lawsuit (1985).
• Stratford, Connecticut had the state's highest mesothelioma rates 1958-1991—particularly among individuals under 25.
• $113 million allocated for ongoing Superfund cleanup at the Stratford Raymark site.

FAQ

Were brake mechanics at risk for mesothelioma?

Yes. Brake linings contained 40-60% asbestos. By 1975, 900,000 Americans worked in brake servicing—none tracked in health studies. The 47-year gap between documented danger and first successful lawsuit (1985) left a generation unwarned.

What is the Sumner Simpson quote?

On October 1, 1935, Raybestos president Simpson wrote to Johns-Manville attorney Vandiver Brown: "I think the less said about asbestos, the better off we are." Brown acknowledged their "ostrich-like attitude."

What happened in Stratford, Connecticut?

Raymark gave away asbestos waste as "free fill" for playgrounds and schoolyards. Stratford had Connecticut's highest mesothelioma rates 1958-1991—particularly among those under 25, indicating childhood exposure.

Can families of brake mechanics file claims?

Yes. Over $30 billion remains in asbestos trust funds. Contact Danziger & De Llano for a free evaluation: dandell.com/contact-us/

Expert Source

Paul Danziger — Founding Partner, Danziger & De Llano. 30+ years mesothelioma litigation.

https://dandell.com/paul-danziger/

Resources

• Asbestos Exposure: dandell.com/asbestos-exposure/
• Compensation Options: dandell.com/mesothelioma-compensation/
• Free Evaluation: dandell.com/contact-us/

Asbestos: A Conspiracy 4,500 Years in the Making — 52 episodes tracing asbestos from ancient pottery to the 2024 EPA ban. Produced by Danziger & De Llano.

Next: Episode 13 — The Magic Mineral Goes Mainstream.

Asbestos: A Conspiracy 4,500 Years in the Making is sponsored by Danziger & De Llano Mesothelioma Law Firm, a nationwide practice with over 30 years of experience and nearly $2 billion recovered for asbestos victims. If you or someone you love has been diagnosed with mesothelioma, the exposure happened somewhere—and Paul Danziger and Rod De Llano know how to trace it back. For a free consultation, visit https://dandell.com.

Resources:

→ Mesothelioma legal rights: https://dandell.com/mesothelioma/

→ Asbestos exposure sources: https://dandell.com/asbestos-exposure/

→ Asbestos trust funds ($30B+ available): https://dandell.com/asbestos-trust-funds/

→ Free case evaluation: https://dandell.com/contact/

Sister Podcast - MESO: The Mesothelioma Podcast:

http://mesotheliomapodcast.com/