Collyer was born in Chelsea, New York. He graduated from Cornell University in 1917 with a degree in mechanical engineering. After a brief period working for the Bethlehem Shipbuilding Corporation, he moved to England in 1923 to join the Dunlop Rubber Co. Ltd. There, he rose through the ranks, eventually becoming managing director of Dunlop's tire division. This international experience provided him with valuable insights into the global rubber industry.
In 1939, Collyer was recruited to return to the United States and take the helm of The B.F. Goodrich Company, assuming the presidency. His leadership proved crucial during the impending global crisis. With the outbreak of World War II and the subsequent cutoff of natural rubber supplies from Southeast Asia by Japan, the United States faced a critical shortage of this vital material, essential for tires, military equipment, and countless other applications.
Collyer became a key figure in the U.S. government's synthetic rubber program. Under his direction, B.F. Goodrich significantly expanded its research, development, and production of synthetic rubber, contributing massively to the war effort and helping to avert a national disaster. He oversaw the rapid construction of new facilities and the conversion of existing ones to meet the unprecedented demand. His efforts were instrumental in demonstrating the feasibility and scalability of synthetic rubber as a replacement for natural rubber.
After the war, Collyer continued to lead B.F. Goodrich through a period of significant growth and diversification. The company expanded its interests into chemicals, plastics, and new material technologies, building on its wartime innovations. He became chairman of the board in 1957, continuing in that role until his retirement in 1963.
John Lyon Collyer's legacy is defined by his decisive leadership during a critical period in American history and his profound impact on the rubber and chemical industries. He passed away in 1976 at the age of 83.