Solid tire

Solid Tire

Solid rubber tires were introduced in 1881 on the wheels of hansom cabs in London. They were once used for various types of road vehicles. However, they have now vanished from highways due to legislation discouraging their use. This is primarily because they were harsh and unforgiving on the roads.

For more information, please visit our website.

History of the Passenger Tire

Dateline 3500 B.C.—man invented the greatest invention ever seen: THE WHEEL! Thousands of years later, the wheel has evolved significantly. It is no longer made of wood and provides a much smoother ride. However, its importance remains unchanged. Can you imagine where we would be without it? The early wheel was simple—a solid curved piece of wood; eventually, leather was added to soften the ride. Over time, it became solid rubber, leading to today's tire—the pneumatic, or air-inflated, radial tire. Early metal or wooden wheels were durable but uncomfortable. Initially, the closest thing to a tire was a metal hoop. Many individuals contributed to creating the tire as we know it today.

Vulcanization and Charles Goodyear

Rubber was not always useful. Early rubber did not hold shape; it was sticky in hot weather and inflexible in the cold. In 1839, Charles Goodyear discovered the vulcanization process. Vulcanization involves heating rubber with sulfur, transforming sticky raw rubber into firm, pliable material, making rubber perfect for tires. Sadly, despite dedicating his life to improving rubber, Goodyear never profited from his work and died bankrupt. Forty years later, a rubber company honored his efforts by naming their new tire company after him.

Solid Rubber Tires

Soon after vulcanization, tires were made of solid rubber. These tires were strong, absorbed shocks, and resisted cuts and abrasions. Although vastly improved, they were heavy and did not provide a smooth ride. Today, types of solid rubber tires are still in use.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit nedong.

Pneumatic Tires

The pneumatic rubber tire uses rubber and enclosed air to reduce vibration and improve traction. Robert W. Thomson, a Scottish engineer, first patented the air-filled tire. Unfortunately, his idea was too early and commercially unsuccessful. In 1888, John Boyd Dunlop of Belfast, Ireland, became the second inventor of the pneumatic tire. Dunlop claimed no knowledge of Thomson's earlier invention. This time, the pneumatic tire caught the public's attention, coinciding perfectly with the growing popularity of bicycles. The lighter tire provided a much better ride.

Bias Ply Tires

For fifty years, vehicle tires consisted of an inner tube containing compressed air and an outer casing for protection and traction. Layers called plies reinforced the casing. Plies consist of rubberized fabric cords embedded in the rubber. These tires were known as bias-ply tires because the cords in a single ply run diagonally from one inner rim bead to the opposite. However, the cord orientation reverses from ply to ply, causing them to crisscross. Today, you can still find bias-ply tires as authentic equipment for antique and collector cars and certain off-the-road tractor tires.

Radial Tires

Michelin® invented radial tires in 1948 and first introduced them in Europe that year. Radial tires are named because the ply cords radiate at a 90-degree angle from the wheel rim, strengthened by a belt of steel fabric running around the tire’s circumference. Radial tire ply cords are made of nylon, rayon, or polyester. Advantages of radial tires include longer tread life, better steering, and less rolling resistance, which improves gas mileage. However, radials offer a harder ride quality and are about twice as expensive to manufacture.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit solid tires.