Pneumatic Tires
Most of the tires that have been utilized during the last 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are constructed of rubber and allow for a far more comfortable ride compared to other types of materials. The world's contemporary transportation system relies entirely on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a type of tire made of toughened rubber and filled with compressed air. Motorized vehicles like for example cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles and airplanes all use pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, such as bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires begins with the invention of iron bands around wooden wheels. The utilization of solid rubber in the creation of tires began during the mid-19th century. The first patent for a successful pneumatic tire was issued in the year 1888 to Irishman John Dunlop who created an inner-tube for a bicycle tire. This was when the term "pneumatic" started to describe tires.
In 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin made the first pneumatic tires for automobiles in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading producer of tires for automobiles. The first U.S. company to make tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second United States company to produce tires.
Function
For the first half of the 20th century, pneumatic tires required a rubber inner tube to 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.
Modern radial tires are made with the plies running at 90 degrees across the body of the tire. Inner tube is not required because the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was an invention of the Michelin company in the year 1948. The tires did not become widely utilized until the late 1970s. Radial tires provide better fuel economy and last longer.