Pneumatic Tires
Most 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 far more comfortable ride compared to other types of materials. The contemporary transportation system of the world completely relies on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a reinforced rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motorized vehicles like trucks, buses, cars, motorcycles and airplanes all utilize pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, such as bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The tire started following the invention or iron bands utilized around wooden wheels. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that the utilization of solid rubber in the construction of tires. 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 the year 1888. This was when the term "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
Seven years after, in the year 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin made pneumatic tires for a car in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a top producer of tires for automobiles. The first United States company to make 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 used in all pneumatic tires during 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 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 made with plies which run across the tire body. Inner tube is not required as the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was a creation of the Michelin company in 1948. The tires did not become widely utilized until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires offer better fuel economy and last longer.