An Essential Pair: Wheels and Tires
Tires have evolved a lot throughout the years. At first there were carriages with wood tires, later they evolved to iron, solid rubber, and even leather. Today’s automobile tires are designed to absorb shock and road imperfections, but in the past tires were made of materials to simply provide durability and grip while on the road.
So how have tires evolved since the 1800s?
As we know them today, tires were first introduced in 1847 by Robert Thompson. It was during this period that most drivers had a preference for solid rubber tires. It wasn’t until years later when the bicycle tire was invented did consumers understand the benefit of an inflated rubber tire to provide a smoother riding experience. Also called a pneumatic or air-filled tire, these key inventions in transportation were developed by Jonnie Dunlop in 1888 for his bicycle. The riding comfort provided by the air inflation allowed the 10-year-old to ride his bike without getting headaches from the imperfect and bumpy roads.
While still the same basic concept, tire design has evolved quite a bit since the days when Jonnie Dunlop first designed a tire solution. Today, tires consist of synthetic rubber, steel cord, fabric and other natural rubber compounds. Today’s tire consists of ever-changing technology in the materials used, the design, durability, and functionality of the tire.
Tread is one of the key improvements to tire functionality. The grooves within the rubber’s surface can customize the way tires grip the street surface, affect performance in all weather conditions and influence general vehicle handling. Tread and rubber composition can allow a vehicle to handle better in slick rain or snow, grip the road surface in hot or freezing temperatures or survive hundreds of miles of hauling heavy loads.
Of course, the future holds even more innovations in tire design and functionality. Automobile tires are manufactured in a number of factories around the world, providing a plethora of options for comfort and performance in any vehicle small or large.
No matter what tires you choose, we are here to make them look great by ensuring your rims or wheels are the perfect complement to your tires. Curb rash? No problem, we’ll fix it! Tired of ugly or dull wheels? We can renew a damaged finish or color-coat to a new color of your choice!
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