Tyres like every other object found on earth also has a history. History is the story of the past and what makes it special is the evolution of the object for study that compares the past with the present. Once which was nothing but a simple wheel is now a part of technological advancements.
Let us dig deeper into the past to know how these tyres were and who found them.
Chapter one: The first tyre
The construction of the first tyre was pretty simple compared to the tyres manufactured today. The standards of the first tyre created was quite primitive.
Basically they were just bands of iron materials, or leather placed on wooden wheels of wagons and carts. At this time period, wagons were the mode of transportation used on a daily basis. The interesting fact about tyres are that they evolved along side with the evolution of automobiles. If there were no automobiles then there would never have been the need for tyres so thanks to automobiles.
It was in 1888, when the first gasoline car was introduced. It was equiped with tyres made out of materials such as metal which were covered with rubber that was filled with air. It was considered unique at that time because nothing of such sort was ever seen before. The masses were excited and happy because at that time rubber tyres were seen as revolutionary.
Also see: Who Invented The Tyre?
It was only from 1895, that the tyres became used regularly and became popularly used in an automobile race such as the race which started from Paris and ended in Bordeaux located in France.
Chapter two: Pioneers of Tyres
Charles Goodyear (1800- 1860): Charles Goodyear was one of the early pioneers of tyre manufacturers. Goodyear had found out a process called vulcanization. This process consisted of heating and removing Sulphur from rubber which made it waterproof and winter proof. He is known as the inventor of vulcanized rubber.
John Dunlop (1840-1921): John Boyd Dunlop was a Scottish veterinarian. He was the one to create the first pneumatic tyres. Various attempts by other people in the creation of inflatable tyres were a failure. Dunlop's design was patented in 1888 and was initially used as bicycle tyres.
What happened later in the tyre evolution:
- 1895 - Andre Michelin and his brother Edouard, became the first to use inflatable tyres on an automobile.
- 1903 - P.W. Litchfield of the Goodyear Tyre manufacturing Company patented the first tubeless tyre.
- 1908 - Frank Seiberling invents the tyres with grooves which improved traction on road.
- 1910 - B.F. Goodrich Company adds carbon to the rubber which created a tyre capable to withstand the test of time.
- 1937 - Goodrich invented the first synthetic rubber tyres made from a type of resin called Chemigum.
- 1946 - Michelin develops radial tyres that offers better handling and fuel efficiency.
- 1970 - The Slick tyre was used in racing since it provided better grip and safety.
