Pneumatic Tires
Most tires utilized 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 comfy ride. The contemporary transportation system of the world completely relies on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a kind of tire constructed of reinforced rubber and filled with compressed air. Motorized vehicles including airplanes, motorcycles, trucks, buses and cars all utilize pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles which are not motorized, such as bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires starts with the invention of iron bands around wooden wheels. The use of solid rubber in the creation of tires started 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 created an inner-tube for a bicycle tire. This was when the term "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
In 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin produced the first pneumatic tires for automobiles in France. The Michelin brothers' company was destined to become a top manufacturer of car tires. The very first company in the US to make tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in 1900, the second company in the US 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 reinforced 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 body of the tire. Inner tube is not required 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 widely utilized until the late 1970s. Radial tires provide better fuel economy and last longer.