Pneumatic Tires
Most of the tires that have been utilized during the last 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are constructed of rubber and allow for a way more comfy ride compared to other kinds of materials. The world's contemporary transportation system relies entirely on pneumatic tires.
The pneumatic tire is a durable rubber tire and is then compressed with air. Motor vehicles including motorcycles, airplanes, buses, cars and trucks all utilize pneumatic tires. Non-motorized wheeled vehicles, like for instance bicycles, also use pneumatic tires.
History
The tire began following the invention or iron bands used 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. This was when the word "pneumatic" began to describe tires.
In the year 1895, Edouard and Andre Michelin produced the first pneumatic tires for automobiles in France. The company of the Michelin brothers was destined to become a leading producer of tires for automobiles. The first company in the United States to produce tires was Goodyear Tire company established in 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second company in the US to produce tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was used in all pneumatic tires in the first half of the 20th century to be able help hold the air pressure. Tires were made of reinforced layers of cord or plies covered with rubber. The plies were laid on an angle or bias to strengthen it and to define the tire's shape. These "bias ply" tires had a tread pattern for traction.
The modern radial tire has been constructed with plies that run across the body of the tire. They need no inner tube since 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 offer better fuel economy.