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Tyres  /  Tyre NewsTyre Updates  / Tyres or Tires?

Tyres or Tires?

Tyres or Tires?

Spoiler alert: there is no difference between the words "tyres" and "tires." They are just variations on the spelling of the same word.

The chances are if you are reading this, you are in the UK and the word you are most used to seeing is "tyre".

This is the spelling that is commonly used in British English, whilst the alternative version of "tire" is generally more associated with American English.

History of tyres (or tires...) 

The earliest wheels were made of solid wood and did not have any rubber surrounding them.

Early ‘tyres’ - although they weren't what we'd perhaps recognise today as such - were cylindrical blocks that attached to the wheel – helping to provide traction. These were made from a substance called "caoutchouc" and was harvested from rubber trees. Very much the early tyres of their day.

However, first pneumatic tyre (what we are used to today – one that is inflated with air) was invented in the 19th century.

Now... here is where it gets a little murky.

The general belief amongst many is that John Boyd Dunlop invented the pneumatic tyre in 1888. 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”.

So, was the Dunlop tyre a reinvention? In many ways yes. Thomson's tyres were perhaps ahead of their time and never gained much traction (pun intended). 

John Dunlop's tyres were initially developed to improve the comfort and performance of his son's bike. From this one simple fatherly consideration, an entire global industry was born.

Dunlop's first tyre was made from a rubber compound that was moulded into a shape that we would recognise today as a modern tyre – including a central hub, a treaded outer surface, and an inflatable inner tube.

Dunlop first pneumatic bicycle tyre

Since then, car tyres have evolved significantly – with leading tyre manufacturers spending a lot of time, money, and effort into developing cutting edge technology that enhances their tyres.

Today, tyres are made using a variety of materials, and they come in a wide range of sizes and categories to suit different vehicles and driving conditions. 

Popular Tire/Tyre Manufacturers

Given the global scare of the tyre industry, it will come as no surprise that popular tyre or tire brands are very similar on both sides of the Atlantic. These include: 

These companies produce a wide range of tyre types, including car tyres, van tyres tyres, budget tyres and 4x4 or SUV tyres .

Other Car Terminology Variations

It's not just tires and tyres which can cause plenty of cross-Atlantic confusion.

There are different automotive industry terms which ultimately refer to the same thing – depending on where you live.

Some other car parts we use different words for include:  

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