Pneumatic Tires
Most tires used 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 completely relies on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a kind of tire made of durable rubber and filled with compressed air. Motorized vehicles like cars, trucks, buses, airplanes and motorcycles all utilize pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, like for example bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires starts with the invention of iron bands around wooden wheels. The utilization of solid rubber in the construction of tires began during 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" appeared to describe tires.
Seven years after, in the year 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin made pneumatic tires for a car in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading manufacturer of tires for automobiles. The very first U.S. company to make tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second company in the United States to produce tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was used in all pneumatic tires during the first part of the 20th century to be able help hold the air pressure. Tires were made of toughened layers of cord or plies covered with rubber. The plies were laid on a bias or angle to define the shape of the tire and strengthen it. 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 as the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was a creation of the Michelin company in 1948. The tires did not become widely utilized until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires last longer and provide better fuel economy.