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 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 toughened rubber and filled with compressed air. Motorized vehicles like motorcycles, airplanes, buses, cars and trucks all utilize pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles that are not motorized, such as bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The tire began after the creation or iron bands used around wooden wheels. It wasn't until the middle part of the 19th century that the utilization of solid rubber in the creation 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 1888. This was when the term "pneumatic" started to describe tires.
In 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin made the very first pneumatic tires for cars in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading manufacturer of automobile tires. The first company in the United States to produce tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second U.S. company to make tires.
Function
For the first half of the 20th century, pneumatic tires needed a rubber inner tube to 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 strengthen it and to define the shape of the tire. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
Modern radial tires are constructed with the plies running at 90 degrees across the tire body. Inner tube is not required since the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's invention in 1948. The tires did not become commonly utilized until the late 1970s. Radial tires last longer and provide better fuel economy.