Pneumatic Tires
Most tires utilized in contemporary times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The use of rubber in tires enabled the invention of pneumatic tires which allowed for a more comfortable ride. The contemporary transportation system of the world relies completely on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a kind of tire made of reinforced rubber and filled with compressed air. Motorized vehicles like motorcycles, airplanes, cars, trucks and buses all use pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles which are not motorized, such as bicycles, also utilize pneumatic tires.
History
The tire began following the invention or iron bands utilized around wooden wheels. It wasn't until the middle part of the 19th century that the use of solid rubber in the construction 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. This was when the term "pneumatic" began to describe tires.
In 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin made the very first pneumatic tires for automobiles in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading manufacturer of car tires. The first U.S. company to make tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second U.S. 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 made of toughened layers of plies or cord covered with rubber. The plies were laid on an angle or bias to strengthen it and to define the shape of the tire. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
The modern radial tire has been constructed with plies that run across the tire body. They require no inner tube since the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's creation in the year 1948. The tires did not become commonly utilized until the late 1970s. Radial tires provide better fuel economy and last longer.