Pneumatic Tires
Most tires used in modern times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The utilization of rubber in tires enabled the invention of pneumatic tires which allowed for a more comfortable ride. The world's contemporary transportation system relies entirely on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a tire made of toughened rubber and filled with compressed air. Motor vehicles like for instance motorcycles, airplanes, buses, cars and trucks all utilize pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, like for example 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 during the mid-19th century. The 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 word "pneumatic" started to describe tires.
In the year 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin made the first pneumatic tires for cars in France. The Michelin brothers' company was destined to become a leading producer of tires for cars. The first company in the US to produce tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second company in the US to produce 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 constructed 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 tire's shape. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
Modern radial tires are made with the plies running at 90 degrees across the tire body. Inner tube is not required because the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was an invention of the Michelin company in the year 1948. The tires did not become widely used until the late 1970s. Radial tires last longer and offer better fuel economy.