Pneumatic Tires
The majority of tires utilized in modern times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The use of rubber in tires allowed the creation of pneumatic tires that allowed for a more comfy ride. The world's contemporary transportation system completely depends on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a toughened rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motorized vehicles including buses, cars, trucks, airplanes and motorcycles all utilize pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles that are not motorized, like bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The tire started after the invention 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 invented an inner-tube for a bicycle tire in the year 1888. This was when the term "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
In the year 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin produced the very first pneumatic tires for automobiles in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading manufacturer of automobile tires. The first United States company to make tires was Goodyear Tire company established in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in 1900, the second United States company to produce tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was utilized in all pneumatic tires in the first part of the 20th century to 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 constructed with plies which run across the body of the tire. Inner tube is not required 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 offer better fuel economy and last longer.