Pneumatic Tires
Most of the tires which have been used over the past 100 years have been pneumatic tires. They are constructed of rubber and allow for a far more comfy ride compared to other types of materials. The contemporary transportation system of the world completely depends on pneumatic tires.
A pneumatic tire is a kind of tire made of reinforced rubber and filled with compressed air. Motor vehicles like motorcycles, airplanes, cars, trucks and buses all use pneumatic tires. Wheeled vehicles that are not motorized, like for example 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 use of solid rubber in the construction of tires. The very first patent for a successful pneumatic tire was issued in 1888 to Irishman John Dunlop who invented an inner-tube for a bicycle tire. This was when the term "pneumatic" appeared to describe tires.
Seven years later, in 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 cars. The very first U.S. company to produce tires was Goodyear Tire company founded in 1898, followed by the Firestone Tire & Rubber company in the year 1900, the second company in the United States to produce tires.
Function
A rubber inner tube was used in all pneumatic tires in the first part of the 20th century to be able help hold the air pressure. Tires were constructed of reinforced layers of cord or plies covered with rubber. The plies were laid on an angle or bias to define the shape of the tire and strengthen it. 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. Inner tube is not necessary because 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 commonly used until the late 1970s. Radial tires last longer and offer better fuel economy.