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A Brief History of the Tire

posted on 8/25/2016 7:42:08 AM
The tire is such a commonplace item -- it's on every car, every truck, every bicycle, every aircraft. It's easy to not give the tire a second thought, but like every other technology, the tire has an interesting history of advances and failures. 
 
In the 19th century, carriages and wagons used steel strips for "tires" on their wheels, with the punishing sort of ride that you'd expect. In later years, they were shod with strips of natural rubber, which was an improvement but was still problematic. Solid rubber still rode pretty rough, and the natural, uncured rubber would get gummy in hot weather and shrink and harden in cold temperatures. Charles Goodyear was able to help with the invention of vulcanized rubber, but the modern tire was still several years off. 
 
By the 1880s, the bicycle was becoming much more popular, and in 1888 Scottish engineer John Dunlop was watching his son struggle with the bone-shaking ride of his tricycle. He then devised the first-ever air-filled pneumatic tire, and a few years later Edouard Michelin developed the first "clincher" pneumatic tire, easily removable for repair. 
 
These advances coincided with the development of the horseless carriage, of course, and soon speeds were starting to pick up and more was expected from tires. Things like inner tubes to hold air and grooved tread patterns for tires soon followed. By the 1910s, engineers were designing tires with angled layers of cotton cord beneath the rubber surface, adding durability and strength, and the bias-ply tire was born. Bias-ply tires would soon become the industry standard and would remain so until the 1960s. 
 
The next big step forward in tire design was Michelin's radial tire, which featured steel belts and fabric plies that were set at a right angle to the tread instead of layers which crisscrossed at angles. Radials offered longer wear, better handling and road manners and soon became the standard in Europe, but they didn't really catch on in the US until the 1970s. 
 
Tubeless tires debuted in the 1950s, and tire design continued to evolve with improved rubber formulations, better tread patterns and a variety of new tire designs such as the all-season tire, UHP tires, grand touring tires and other newer developments. Today, things like the run-flat tire and tire pressure monitoring systems have made tires more reliable, safe and long-lasting than ever before! 
Categories: Tire 101 | View Count: (87) | Return

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Wheels

If you want your vehicle to stand out in a crowd, a new set of custom wheels is the way to go. Custom wheels are a finishing touch that demonstrates your pride in your vehicle. When buying custom wheels, you have plenty of choices and the amount of options can sometimes be overwhelming. Get in touch with our custom wheel expert to find the best options for your vehicle.
At A & R Tire Pros in Quinton, AL, we will advise you on choosing the perfect wheels and make sure to suggest a product that meets your performance and configuration standards. We have all the leading brands and aim at providing our customers with the best possible deal paired with the best service!

Choosing the Right Custom Wheels for Your Ride

Choosing the right new set of wheels can be difficult. We offer a large catalog of new custom wheels from top brands in all styles and finish imaginable for your car, truck, or SUV. From custom rims to factory wheels, cast alloy to forged rims, wheel accessories to tires, everything you need is right here at A & R Tire Pros!

Types of Custom Wheels

  • Alloy Wheels: Alloy wheel is made with more than one metal and is lighter than the steel wheel because most alloy wheels are made with aluminum. It is lightweight and strong, to improve performance, handling, and gas mileage.
  • Chrome Wheels: Chrome wheels are wheels that has a chrome coating finish on it. This helps to reduce the chance of your wheel becoming oxidized. Rather than being entirely composed of chrome, the surface of the wheel is instead lightly coated in chrome.
  • Custom Steel Wheels: Heavier than aluminum, these wheels are perfect for off-road driving and heavy-duty work. These strong wheels improve vehicle stability and are inexpensive and function great as a standard wheel.
Custom Wheels and Rims in Quinton, AL

Shop for Custom Wheels at A & R Tire Pros in Quinton, AL

Custom wheels are the perfect option to personalize your vehicle. Choose from all the popular wheel brands on the market today such as Cragar, Pacer, Motiv Wheels, Focal, and so much more. Once you’ve selected your new custom wheels and tires, the tires are mounted on the rims using specialized equipment, wheel balancing is done, and then your custom wheels are fitted to your vehicle. A & R Tire Pros can meet all of your tire and wheel needs. Contact us today!
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Email: [email protected]
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Address: 6518 West Jefferson Rd.
Quinton, AL 35130

Contact Us

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (205) 674-6410
Fax: (205) 905-7806
Address: 6518 West Jefferson Rd.
Quinton, AL 35130
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Make a Tire or Auto Repair Appointment Today!

A & R Tire Pros proudly serves the local Quinton, AL area. We understand that getting your car fixed or buying new tires can be overwhelming. Let us help you choose from our large selection of tires. We feature tires that fit your needs and budget from top quality brands. We pride ourselves on being your number one choice for any auto repair. Let us earn your business. Schedule an appointment today.