Pneumatic Tires
The majority of tires used in modern times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The utilization of rubber in tires allowed the creation of pneumatic tires that allowed for a more comfy ride. The world's contemporary transportation system completely relies on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a type of tire made of toughened rubber and filled with compressed air. Motor vehicles including airplanes, motorcycles, cars, trucks and buses all utilize pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles which are not motorized, like for example bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The tire began following the invention or iron bands used around wooden wheels. It wasn't until the middle part of the 19th century that the use of solid rubber in the construction of tires. The 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 in the year 1888. This was when the word "pneumatic" appeared 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 top manufacturer of car tires. The very first U.S. company to make tires was Goodyear Tire company established in 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in 1900, the second United States company to produce tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was utilized in all pneumatic tires in the first half of the 20th century to be able help hold the air pressure. Tires were constructed of toughened layers of plies or cord covered with rubber. The plies were laid on a bias or angle 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 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 the Michelin's brother's invention in 1948. The tires did not become widely utilized until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires last longer and offer better fuel economy.