Pneumatic Tires
The majority of tires utilized in modern times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The use of rubber in tires allowed the invention of pneumatic tires that allowed for a more comfy ride. The contemporary transportation system of the world relies completely on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a durable rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motorized vehicles like for example trucks, buses, cars, motorcycles and airplanes all use pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles that are not motorized, like for instance bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires begins with the invention of iron bands around wooden wheels. The use of solid rubber in the creation of tires started during the middle part of the 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 in 1888. This was when the term "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
In 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin produced the very first pneumatic tires for automobiles 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 established in 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second company in the US to make 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 constructed of reinforced 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. They need no inner tube 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 widely used until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires last longer and offer better fuel economy.