Pneumatic Tires
Nearly all of the tires that have been used over the past 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are made from rubber and allow for a way more comfy ride compared to other materials. The world's contemporary transportation system completely relies on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a toughened rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motorized vehicles such as motorcycles, airplanes, trucks, buses and cars all utilize pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, such as bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires starts with the creation of iron bands around wooden wheels. The utilization of solid rubber in the creation of tires began in the mid-19th century. The very first patent for a successful pneumatic tire was issued in 1888 to Irishman John Dunlop who created an inner-tube for a bicycle tire. This was when the word "pneumatic" started to describe tires.
Seven years later, in 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin made pneumatic tires for an automobile in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a top manufacturer of car tires. The first U.S. company to make tires was Goodyear Tire company established in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in 1900, the second United States company to make tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was utilized in all pneumatic tires in the first part of the 20th century to help hold the air pressure. Tires were constructed of reinforced layers of plies or cord covered with rubber. The plies were laid on an angle or bias to strengthen it and to define the tire's shape. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
The modern radial tire has been made with plies that run across the tire body. Inner tube is not required as the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's creation in 1948. The tires did not become widely used until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires offer better fuel economy and last longer.