Pneumatic Tires
Nearly all of the tires that have been used during the last 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are constructed of 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 like cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles and airplanes all use pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles that are not motorized, like bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires begins with the creation of iron bands around wooden wheels. The use of solid rubber in the creation of tires started 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 term "pneumatic" began to describe tires.
In 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin produced the first pneumatic tires for automobiles in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading manufacturer of tires for automobiles. The first company in the US to produce tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second U.S. company to make tires.
Function
For the first part of the 20th century, pneumatic tires needed a rubber inner tube to hold the air pressure. Tires were made of toughened 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 which run across the body of the tire. Inner tube is not necessary since the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was a creation of the Michelin company in the year 1948. The tires did not become commonly utilized until the late 1970s. Radial tires offer better fuel economy and last longer.