Pneumatic Tires
The majority of tires utilized in modern times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The use of rubber in tires allowed the invention of pneumatic tires that allowed for a much more comfortable ride. The world's contemporary transportation system relies entirely on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a durable rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motor vehicles including airplanes, motorcycles, buses, cars and trucks all utilize pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, like bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The tire started following the invention or iron bands utilized around wooden wheels. It wasn't until the middle part of the 19th century that the use of solid rubber in the creation of tires. The very first patent for a successful pneumatic tire was issued in 1888 to Irishman John Dunlop who invented an inner-tube for a bicycle tire in the year 1888. This was when the word "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
Seven years after, in 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin produced pneumatic tires for a car in France. The Michelin brothers' company was destined to become a top producer of car tires. The very first U.S. company to produce tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in 1900, the second United States company to produce tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was used in all pneumatic tires in 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 an angle or bias to strengthen it and to define the shape of the tire. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
Modern radial tires are constructed with the plies running at 90 degrees across the body of the tire. Inner tube is not required because 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 utilized until the late 1970s. Radial tires provide better fuel economy and last longer.