Pneumatic Tires
Nearly all of the tires that have been used over the last 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are made from rubber and allow for a way more comfortable ride than other kinds of materials. The contemporary transportation system of the world depends completely on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a kind of tire made of durable rubber and filled with compressed air. Motor vehicles like for instance airplanes, motorcycles, cars, trucks and buses all use pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles that are not motorized, such as bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The tire began after 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 very first patent for a successful pneumatic tire was issued in the year 1888 to Irishman John Dunlop who invented an inner-tube for a bicycle tire in the year 1888. This was when the term "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
In the year 1895, Andre and Edouard Michelin produced the first pneumatic tires for cars in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading producer of tires for cars. The first United States company to make tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in 1900, the second U.S. company to make tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was used in all pneumatic tires during 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 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 constructed with the plies running at 90 degrees across the tire body. Inner tube is not required as 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 used until the late 1970s. Radial tires offer better fuel economy and last longer.