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History of Tires: A few decades ago, things were a lot different than they are now. Today, when a tire on our automobile wears out, most of us have a routine of changing it as soon as possible. Radial tires, long-lasting tread, run-flat tires, and tire pressure monitoring systems are now commonplace in the automotive industry (TPMS). How were tires in the early days of automobiles different from today’s tires?
To understand the history of tires, you must first understand the wheel’s history. During the Neolithic period (about 3500 BC), the wheel was first documented as a human innovation. Wheels were first utilized in agriculture. But they have since been used in everything from chariots to toys as a sign of human technological achievement. Can you fathom a world without wheels? Honestly, that wouldn’t be enjoyable at all. Tires have a long and exciting history, which this article attempts to cover.
Table of Contents
The Wheel
It was approximately 3500 BC that the wheel was first devised, and it went on to become one of the most important inventions in human history. Wheels have always had a problem with wear and tear. A central axle meant that the wheel would wear out over time. But the continual rotation meant that it could be used to transport big loads or move swiftly. There is no guarantee that they will wear evenly over time. If a chip, a rock, or simply uneven wear caused the wheel to be no longer viable, it would need a costly and time-consuming replacement. Instead of buying a new wheel, it was preferable to have a wearable layer that could be removed and changed as required. Tires are designed to achieve this.
The First Tire
Tires are a relatively new creation, even though they serve a vital purpose. In the beginning, tires consisted of leather bands wrapped around a wooden wheel, then driven on. The leather straps were replaced with far more durable metal ones.
You’re correct if you believe metal tires are unpleasant. Metal tires were employed on wagons because they were long-lasting and inexpensive. But they were very unpleasant and not reliably safe. The whole tire would have to be removed if there was a single kink.
Metal train wheels were first fitted with pneumatic tires when trains and railway networks came into being. The tire was heated, then put on the wheel and cooled down with a bucket of water.
Vulcanization-1839
Charles Goodyear, an American businessman and inventor, was credited with discovering the vulcanization process in 1839. In 1845, British inventors Thomas Hancock and Charles Goodyear received patents for the vulcanization of rubber within a few of weeks of each other. Natural rubber and other polymers may be vulcanized by adding sulfur to the mixture, which is named after the Roman god of fire. The mechanical qualities of vulcanized materials are superior to those of non-vulcanized materials.” Raw rubber becomes stiff and supple after being vulcanized, making it ideal for tires.
Vulcanization also made rubber waterproof and winterproof, while retaining its flexibility, making it an ideal material for tires.
Solid Rubber Tires-1888
Vulcanization of rubber led to the development of solid rubber tires. Strong, resilient, and resistant to abrasions, these tires were ideal for off-road use.
Vulcanization first was observed by Charles Goodyear. It emerges as the result of heating rubber in the presence of sulfur. In tires, rubber is changed from soft, sticky material to a hard, malleable one.
Rubber became the new tire material of choice as vulcanization got more developed. Aside from absorbing a fair amount of damage, they also possessed a considerable level of shock absorption capacity. They were, however, heavy and difficult to travel on.
They represented a significant advance. But these tires were cumbersome and uncomfortable to drive on. Solid rubber tires are being manufactured today.
Pneumatic Tires-1847
In 1847, pneumatic tires were invented. The inventor of the first air-filled tire was a Scottish engineer named Robert W. Thompson. Ultimately, the project was shelved due to a lack of progress.
It wasn’t until Dunlop’s kid complained about the rough ride of his bicycle’s solid rubber tires. He decided to build a tire that would make the ride more comfortable. Scottish inventor John Boyd Dunlop created the first commercially practical pneumatic tire in the late 1800s.
The tires were so successful that they won bicycle races in Ireland and England a year after it was launched. Tires for many kinds of vehicles, from bicycles to automobiles and trucks. Between 1890 and 1920, Dunlop and others such as Thomas Hancock made significant advancements in the rubber pneumatic tire.
Bias Plies and Radial Tires-1920
‘Bias Ply’ tires were the norm for a few decades after synthetic rubbers for tires were created in the 1920s. There were two pieces to these tires: The inner tube inflated and the outside casing of a wheel.
The inner tube was protected by the outer casing, which was pressurized. Layers known as plies were used to construct the exterior shell.
After World War II, developing radial tires was a big step forward for Michelin. Despite their superiority, radar tires were sluggish to catch on in the United States. Until the early 1970s, radial tires had not yet established themselves as the de facto standard.
Radial tires are now the standard in the United States and across the globe. Every year, tire manufacturers produce millions. Bridgestone Potenza utilizes the technology to achieve incomparable traction for racing at high speeds, and stability at high speeds is excellent.
Retreads/Remolded Tires-1912
They got their beginnings as a low-cost way to recycle high-quality tire casings. Almost as long as modern tires have been around, retreads have also been around. When bias-ply tires became the standard, retreads were a relatively new invention. Precured treads were created and patented by Marion Oliver as early as 1912. They are currently commonly utilized. A new tire layer is placed once the casing has been wiped back to its original form.
During the Great Depression, retreads were very popular. Tires could be used until they were utterly worn out and then retreaded, making it easier for people to go about. The retread sector was also affected by World War II. The retreading business had a 500% increase in growth between 1942 and 1944.
Retreads were a cost-effective technique to keep vehicles and trucks on the road in post-war America. Several technical advances made it possible for retread tires to be safer and function and new tires. This aspect paved the way for retreads to become more affordable and environmentally Friendly. Tire retreading declined steadily throughout the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s for various reasons. The main reason was the decreasing cost of new tires.
In the 1990s, computer-controlled tire retreading equipment was commercially accessible. This brought retreading back into the limelight. X-ray and ultrasound scanners were also created, making the retreaded tires much safer.
In terms of longevity and safety, modern retreads are comparable to brand-new tires. However, you have to keep the pressure in your tires at the appropriate level to enhance their lifespan.
TubeLess Tire-1950s
The B.F first patented pneumatic tires without inner tubes. Goodrich Tire Company in 1946. But it wasn’t until 1952 that it was authorized. The 1954 Packard Clipper was equipped with tubeless tires for the first time.
Tube tires have been around for more than half of the 20th century. However, the first efforts to improve tire/wheel sealing and eliminate tubes were a complete failure. Today, long tread life and outstanding 50,000-mile treadwear warranties are now standard features in tires like Hankook Dynapro AT-M.
Run-Flat Tires-1970s
A commercially successful “fail-safe” wheel/tire combination was created by Dunlop Tire in the 1970s and 1980s. Due to poorly-surfaced roadways, flat tires were a typical concern for early “automobilists” due to poorly-surfaced roadways. It became standard on some British automobile models.
Both the self-supporting run flat tire system and the support ring system are available. The tire are adapted for wet and dry performances, rolling resistance, subjective noise and comfort
Reinforced sidewall structure is used in most self-supporting run flat tire systems. Because of this design, even if the air pressure drops, the tire will continue to run at the pace and distance that the manufacturer has indicated.
In contrast, support ring run flat tire systems use a ring of firm rubber or similar structure that can sustain the weight of the vehicle when there is a loss of air pressure in the tire system.
These tires can only be used If a vehicle is equipped with a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS). As soon as one of your tires loses pressure, the TPMS alerts the driver. There is no way to tell whether you’re driving on underinflated tires without this device.
A flat tire is a time-consuming irritation at best. Further, it is a cause of lethal traffic menace at worst, even in contemporary times. The increased cost remains a significant disadvantage. But the notion of a puncture-resistant tire remains appealing.
Future
Tires will have to adapt to the changing demands of automobiles as electric drivetrains, and self-driving vehicles take hold.
Silica has been used to replace carbon black (CB) as a reinforcing agent in passenger car tire tread compounds based on solution styrene butadiene rubber (SSBR)–butadiene rubber (BR) to produce tires with lower rolling resistance, better wet grip, and almost equal wear resistance. This has fostered use of a wet braking system mounted on the inside of a vehicle, directly in the differential. They run inside oil or transmission fluid, which is how they got their name. Wet brakes use hydraulic pressure to stop a vehicle.
In the year 2022, we have phones that can withstand water damage, and more. However, rubber tires packed with air are still the most common method of getting an automobile to move. This has been the case for decades, but things are about to change. A revolution in tire technology is expected to occur owing to the development of airless tires. The tread is supported by glass-fiber reinforced plastic vanes rather than air pressure. Additionally, we are nearing the development of a 3D-printed tire tread. This will allow for the precise deposition of rubber compounds, lowering the use of raw resources as a result.
Conclusion
There’s a bright future ahead for tires. Tire makers are continually seeking more effective methods to make tires. In particular, in light of rising oil costs and environmental concerns. Commercial cars are being used to test new technology, such as Airless tires.