Pneumatic Tires
Most tires utilized in contemporary times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The utilization of rubber in tires enabled the creation of pneumatic tires which allowed for a more comfy ride. The contemporary transportation system of the world relies completely on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a toughened rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motorized vehicles including airplanes, motorcycles, buses, cars and trucks all use pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles which are not motorized, such as bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The tire began 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 1888 to Irishman John Dunlop who created an inner-tube for a bicycle tire in the year 1888. This was when the word "pneumatic" began to describe tires.
Seven years after, in the year 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin produced pneumatic tires for an automobile in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading producer of tires for cars. The very first company in the US to produce tires was Goodyear Tire company founded 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 half of the 20th century to be able help hold the air pressure. Tires were constructed of toughened layers of plies or cord 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 body of the tire. Inner tube is not necessary 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 used until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires last longer and provide better fuel economy.