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 far more comfortable ride compared to other kinds of materials. The contemporary transportation system of the world completely depends on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a kind of tire constructed of durable rubber and filled with compressed air. Motorized vehicles such as airplanes, motorcycles, trucks, buses and cars all utilize pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, like bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires begins with the creation of iron bands around wooden wheels. The utilization of solid rubber in the construction of tires started during the mid-19th century. The first patent for a successful pneumatic tire was issued in the year 1888 to Irishman John Dunlop who invented an inner-tube for a bicycle tire in 1888. This was when the word "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
In the year 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin produced the very first pneumatic tires for automobiles in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading manufacturer of tires for cars. The first company in the United States 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 make tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was utilized in all pneumatic tires in the first half of the 20th century to be able help hold the air pressure. Tires were made of reinforced layers of plies or cord covered with rubber. The plies were laid on an angle or bias to define the shape of the tire and strengthen it. 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. Inner tube is not required as the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's creation in 1948. The tires did not become widely used until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires last longer and offer better fuel economy.