Pneumatic Tires
Nearly all 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 way more comfy ride compared to other types of materials. The contemporary transportation system of the world completely relies on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a durable rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motorized vehicles like for instance cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles and airplanes all use pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles which are not motorized, such as bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The tire began following the creation or iron bands used around wooden wheels. It wasn't until the mid-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 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 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin produced pneumatic tires for a car in France. The Michelin brothers' company was destined to become a top producer of car tires. The first U.S. company to make tires was Goodyear Tire company established in 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in 1900, the second company in the United States to produce tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was used in all pneumatic tires in the first part 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 an angle or bias to define the tire's shape 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 necessary because the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's creation in 1948. The tires did not become widely used until the latter parts of the 1970s. Radial tires offer better fuel economy and last longer.