The History of the Tyre
The first rubber tyre was made in the mid 1800s, in an advancement from the bands of iron that were used on the wooden wheels of carts and wagons. Originally, the rubber was used on its own, carrying the entire load of the vehicle, but in 1845, inflated tyres – from then on known as the pneumatic or air-filled tyre – were invented.
By adding air to the tyre, shocks and bumps were better absorbed and the quality of ride was greatly improved. Multiple inner tubes meant that it would take several punctures before deflating, but the general public still preferred the solid rubber tyre and it took over 40 years for the pneumatic tyre to gain popularity.
John Boyd Dunlop effectively reinvented the wheel when he created an air-inflated tyre for his son’s bicycle. When a bike race was won in Belfast using his tyres, his invention began to become an in-demand product. Around ten years later, the technique was applied to automobiles, by brothers Edouard and Andre Michelin. Demand for pneumatic tyres was huge, and legislation was passed to reduce the use of solid rubber tyres, and so the basis of the air-inflated tyre we know today was born.
Radial tyres were created by Michelin in the late forties, which contain cords that increased the mileage of your vehicle and lasted longer than previous models. This in turn led to an adaptation in suspension systems. Because of this, many US car manufacturers resisted the change due to the cost of redesigning their vehicles, but the new design was very successful in Europe.
After the fuel crisis of the 70s, America came around to radial tyres in order to create a more economical car for the demanding public. My the 80s, radial tyres were the norm in the US and around the world.
Since then, manufacturers strive to create even more economical, efficient and adaptable tyres that can deal with the demands of higher speeds, changes in weather and road conditions, and respect the environment. For example, winter tyres are recommended for the colder months, with special compounds that can better cope with low temperatures (regular tyres become rigid and lose their grip).
Since they are your only contact with the road, tyres are an integral and important part of your car, and should be well maintained to ensure your safety and the performance of the vehicle. Always check that your tyres are properly inflated and have sufficient tread depth, or you may find yourself with illegal tyres which have reduced grip and handling and can lead to accidents.