Pneumatic Tires
Nearly all of the tires which have been utilized during the last 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are made from rubber and allow for a way more comfortable ride compared to other kinds of materials. The contemporary transportation system of the world relies completely on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a tire made of toughened rubber and filled with compressed air. Motor vehicles such as trucks, buses, cars, motorcycles and airplanes all utilize pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, like bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The tire started after the creation 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 invented an inner-tube for a bicycle tire in 1888. This was when the word "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
Seven years later, in the year 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin produced pneumatic tires for a car in France. The Michelin brothers' company was destined to become a leading producer of tires for automobiles. The first U.S. company 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
A rubber inner tube was utilized in all pneumatic tires during the first half of the 20th century to help hold the air pressure. Tires were made of toughened 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.
The modern radial tire has been constructed with plies that run 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 provide better fuel economy and last longer.