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Tyres > Help > Tyres Help > What are pneumatic tyres?

What are pneumatic tyres?


Pneumatic tyres are a type of tyre that utilises compressed air to support the weight of a vehicle. The term "pneumatic" refers to anything that uses gas or air pressure to operate.

What is another term for pneumatic tyres?

Another term for pneumatic tyres is "air-filled tyres." This is because these tyres rely on compressed air to maintain their shape and performance levels.

What are the 2 types of pneumatic tyres?

There are two types of pneumatic tyres: cross-ply and radial.

Cross-ply tyres have cords that run at a diagonal angle from bead to bead.

Radial tyres have cords that run perpendicular to the direction of travel. Radial tyres are the most common type used in modern day tyres.

Who invented the pneumatic tyre and when?

The most common belief is that the pneumatic tyre was invented by John Boyd Dunlop, a Scottish veterinarian. He developed the tyre in response to the discomfort his young son experienced while riding a tricycle with solid rubber tyres.

But, there was in fact a patent in 1846 by the lesser known Scottish inventor Robert William Thomson for an earlier 'pneumatic' tyre, known as Thomson’s “Aerial Wheels”. These did not catch on as well as John Boyd Dunlop’s tyres.

What year was the pneumatic tyre invented?

The pneumatic tyre was invented in 1888 by John Boyd Dunlop. His invention revolutionized the tyre industry and paved the way for the development of the modern-day tyres that we use today.

There was also the Robert William Thomson “Aerial Wheels” invented in 1847 which used the same techniques.