Reinventing the Wheel: Tires

Answer 1

Tires come in many shapes and sizes, and are used on most any motor vehicle. However, they all serve the same purpose, and they’re all absolutely necessary. The tire is the donut shaped outer covering that protects a car or truck’s rim. They provide a flexible cushioning that absorbs impact and keeps the wheel in contact with the road’s surface.

Tires are made primarily from rubber, fabric, and various chemical compounds. The surface of the tire that meets the road is called the tire tread, and the inside part of the tire ring is the body. The tread provides traction and holds the vehicle to the road, while the body of the tire provides support.

The earliest tires used were merely strips of iron or steel, which were harnessed to wooden wheels on farm wagons. The iron tire was softened by heat and attached to the wheel. This was done by a craftsman called the wheelwright.

Later, rubber pneumatic tires were introduced. John Boyd Dunlop invented the modern tire while trying to improve his son’s bicycle. His son experienced awful headaches from riding his bicycle over rough terrain, and Dunlop fitted the bike with rubber tires to absorb the shock and make riding smoother.

Pneumatic tires are made of donut-shaped cords and wires held in rubber. The tire is filled with compressed air so that it can absorb impacts. The modern pneumatic tire is made of a flexible elastomer material, like rubber, and is generally reinforced with fabric and wire. Early tire manufacturers of the 20th century grew with the introduction of the model T by Ford. Today, nearly 2 billion tires are produced every year.

The tread of the tire is the section that comes into contact with the ground. It consists of thick rubber and is designed to provide a great deal of durable traction. Normally tire tread has a pattern of geometrical grooves and shapes that run circumferentially around the tire tread. These work to channel away water, and hold the road.

Tread wear is the wearing aware of a tire’s tread from use. Normal tread wear is caused by friction between the tire and the road.