Pneumatic Tires
Most tires used in contemporary times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The utilization 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 depends entirely on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a reinforced rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motorized vehicles like for instance motorcycles, airplanes, buses, cars and trucks all utilize pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles which are not motorized, like for example bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires begins with the creation of iron bands around wooden wheels. The utilization of solid rubber in the construction of tires started in the middle part of the 19th century. The very first patent for a successful pneumatic tire was issued in 1888 to Irishman John Dunlop who created an inner-tube for a bicycle tire. This was when the word "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
Seven years after, in the year 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin produced pneumatic tires for an automobile in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a top producer of tires for cars. The very 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 company in the US to make tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was utilized in all pneumatic tires during the first part of the 20th century to help hold the air pressure. Tires were made of reinforced layers of plies or cord 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 body of the tire. Inner tube is not necessary as 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 used until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires provide better fuel economy and last longer.