Pneumatic Tires
The majority of tires used in modern times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The utilization of rubber in tires enabled the invention of pneumatic tires that allowed for a much more comfortable ride. The contemporary transportation system of the world relies completely on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a type of tire made of durable rubber and filled with compressed air. Motor vehicles like for instance motorcycles, airplanes, buses, cars and trucks all use pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles that are not motorized, like bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires begins 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 in 1888. This was when the word "pneumatic" began to describe tires.
In 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin produced the very first pneumatic tires for automobiles in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading producer of car tires. The first company in the United States to make tires was Goodyear Tire company established in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second company in the United States 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 toughened layers of plies or cord covered with rubber. The plies were laid on a bias or angle 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 tire body. Inner tube is not required since the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's creation in 1948. The tires did not become commonly used until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires last longer and provide better fuel economy.