Pneumatic Tires
Most tires utilized in modern times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The utilization of rubber in tires allowed the creation of pneumatic tires which allowed for a much more comfortable ride. The contemporary transportation system of the world depends entirely on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a tire constructed of durable rubber and filled with compressed air. Motor vehicles like cars, trucks, buses, airplanes and motorcycles all use pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles that are not motorized, such as bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires starts with the invention of iron bands around wooden wheels. The use of solid rubber in the construction of tires began in the mid-19th century. The very 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 word "pneumatic" began to describe tires.
Seven years later, in 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin made pneumatic tires for an automobile in France. The Michelin brothers' company was destined to become a top 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 US to produce tires.
Function
For the first part of the 20th century, pneumatic tires required a rubber inner tube in order to hold the air pressure. Tires were made 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 shape of the tire. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
The modern radial tire has been constructed with plies which run across the body of the tire. They need no inner tube because the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's invention in 1948. The tires did not become commonly utilized until the late 1970s. Radial tires provide better fuel economy and last longer.