Pneumatic Tires
Nearly all of the tires which have been used over the past 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are constructed of rubber and allow for a far more comfy ride than other materials. The world's contemporary transportation system depends completely on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a type of tire constructed of toughened rubber and filled with compressed air. Motor vehicles such as motorcycles, airplanes, buses, cars and trucks all utilize pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles which are not motorized, like bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The tire began after the invention or iron bands utilized around wooden wheels. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that the utilization of solid rubber in the construction of tires. 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. This was when the term "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
Seven years after, in the year 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin made pneumatic tires for an automobile in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a top producer of tires for cars. The very first United States company to make tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in 1900, the second U.S. company to make tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was used in all pneumatic tires during the first half 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 strengthen it and to define the tire's shape. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
The modern radial tire has been made with plies which run across the body of the tire. Inner tube is not necessary because the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was an invention of the Michelin company in 1948. The tires did not become commonly used until the late 1970s. Radial tires provide better fuel economy and last longer.