Pneumatic Tires
Most of the tires that have been used during the past 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are constructed of rubber and allow for a far more comfy ride compared to other types of materials. The contemporary transportation system of the world completely depends on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a kind of tire made of toughened rubber and filled with compressed air. Motor vehicles like motorcycles, airplanes, cars, trucks and buses all use pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, such as bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The tire began after the creation or iron bands utilized around wooden wheels. It wasn't until the mid-19th century that the utilization of solid rubber in the creation of tires. The very first patent for a successful pneumatic tire was issued in 1888 to Irishman John Dunlop who invented an inner-tube for a bicycle tire in the year 1888. This was when the term "pneumatic" appeared 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 top manufacturer of tires for cars. The very 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 company in the United States to produce 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 plies or cord 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 made with the plies running at 90 degrees across the body of the tire. Inner tube is not necessary because the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was an invention of the Michelin company in the year 1948. The tires did not become commonly used until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires provide better fuel economy and last longer.