Historical milestones in the world of tires and who is behind them

Despite their seeming simplicity, car tires have a long history of development. Their evolution is associated with a great number of inventions and technological breakthroughs. Let's consider some historical milestones of this industry and the main companies behind these achievements together.

1. Invention of the vulcanization process
We have previously told about how Charles Goodyear laid the foundation for the entire tire industry. It was the vulcanization process, namely the transformation of rubber from a plastic state to an elastic one, that made it possible to invent such auto components as tires. 

2. Invention of the pneumatic tire
In 1887, Dunlop invented the inflatable bicycle tire, initially made for his son's three-wheeled bicycle, and patented his invention in 1888. The invention had great commercial success and later also found application as an automobile tire. This marked the beginning of the history of pneumatic tires.

3. Invention of the pneumatic detachable tire
In 1891, the Michelin brothers received a patent for a detachable pneumatic tire. This was also a fundamental stage in the development of the tire industry as a whole. The pneumatic tire was much more progressive and comfortable than solid rubber wheels, but it had the disadvantage of being vulnerable to cuts and impossible to replace quickly. The Michelin invention solved this problem. 

4. Mass production of tires
Henry Ford, the founder of the Ford Motor Company, played a huge role in the development of the tire industry by introducing mass production of cars. The rapid development of the automotive industry led to an increase in demand for tires, which contributed to the emergence of new companies, such as Goodyear and Firestone. Until the epoch-making Ford T model, the car was considered an unaffordable luxury item, which simply could not serve as a basis for mass production of tires, and therefore their development. 

5. Radial tire carcass
Another invention by Michelin. The company introduced another radical change in the form of a radial carcass. This invention led to a reduction in the weight of tires, a significant increase in mileage, and improved comfort. In addition, the new principle of tire construction allowed for the use of less material while significantly increasing the load capacity. The patent was registered in 1946. 

To be continued...
Already now, the world's largest companies are working on new tire concepts, some of which have already found real application. In essence, these can no longer be called tires, but nonetheless, the history has evolved in this way.