Pneumatic Tires
Nearly all of the tires which have been utilized over the last 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are constructed of rubber and allow for a way more comfortable ride than other materials. The contemporary transportation system of the world completely relies on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a toughened rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motor vehicles such as airplanes, motorcycles, trucks, buses and cars all utilize pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles which are not motorized, such as bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The history of tires begins with the creation of iron bands around wooden wheels. The utilization of solid rubber in the construction of tires began in the middle part of the 19th century. The very 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" appeared to describe tires.
In the year 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin produced the first pneumatic tires for cars in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a top producer of tires for cars. The first United States company to produce tires was Goodyear Tire company established in the year 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in 1900, the second U.S. company to make tires.
Function
For the first part of the 20th century, pneumatic tires required a rubber inner tube in order to hold the air pressure. Tires were constructed of toughened layers of cord or plies covered with rubber. The plies were laid on a bias or angle to strengthen it and to define the tire's shape. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
Modern radial tires are made with the plies running at 90 degrees across the tire body. They require no inner tube because the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's invention in 1948. The tires did not become commonly used until the late 1970s. Radial tires last longer and provide better fuel economy.