Pneumatic Tires
Most of the tires which have been utilized during the last 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are made from rubber and allow for a far more comfortable ride compared to other materials. The contemporary transportation system of the world depends completely on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a durable rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motorized vehicles like for instance airplanes, motorcycles, trucks, buses and cars 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 creation 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 invented an inner-tube for a bicycle tire. This was when the word "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
In the year 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin made the first pneumatic tires for automobiles in France. The Michelin brothers' company was destined to become a leading manufacturer of car tires. The very first U.S. company to produce 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 United States to make tires.
Function
For the first half of the 20th century, pneumatic tires needed 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 an angle or bias to define the tire's shape and strengthen it. 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 necessary since the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's invention in the year 1948. The tires did not become commonly used until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires offer better fuel economy and last longer.