Pneumatic Tires
The majority of tires utilized in modern times are considered to be pneumatic tires. The use of rubber in tires enabled the creation of pneumatic tires which allowed for a much more comfortable ride. The world's contemporary transportation system completely relies on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a durable rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motor vehicles like motorcycles, airplanes, trucks, buses and cars all use pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, such as bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The tire started after the creation or iron bands utilized 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 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 1888. This was when the word "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
Seven years later, in the year 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin produced pneumatic tires for a car in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading producer of tires for automobiles. The very first U.S. company to produce tires was Goodyear Tire company established in 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second United States company to make tires.
Function
For the first part of the 20th century, pneumatic tires needed 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 shape of the tire. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
The modern radial tire has been made with plies that run across the tire body. Inner tube is not required since the tire forms an airtight seal with the wheel. This was the Michelin's brother's invention in the year 1948. The tires did not become widely utilized until the late 1970s. Radial tires last longer and offer better fuel economy.