Inflatable Tires: Why These Drawbacks Continue to Make Them Popular

Inflatable tires were invented in the 1800s and have remained a popular choice for transportation, despite their drawbacks such as requiring regular pumping and being prone to going flat or exploding. These tires have many disadvantages, including becoming bloated in hot weather, deflating in cold weather, and unexpectedly bursting while on the road. So why are inflatable tires still widely used?

The first patent for an inflatable tire was granted to inventor Robert William Thomson of England in 1845. His design involved creating a cushion of air around the wheels to reduce friction and make transportation easier. Thomson’s invention utilized materials like sulfur rubber or gutta-percha, as synthetic rubber had not yet been developed.

John Boyd Dunlop, a Scottish veterinarian living in Ireland, was inspired to reinvent the pneumatic tire after seeing his son struggle to ride a tricycle. His tires made from vulcanized rubber quickly gained popularity and became commercially successful. Advantages of inflatable tires over hard tires include increased speed and comfort, as well as reduced rolling resistance due to the compressibility of air.

Air-filled tires are able to absorb shocks better than solid tires, making for a smoother ride, especially at high speeds. The lighter weight of air compared to solid rubber also contributes to lower rolling resistance, making inflatable tires more energy-efficient. Despite these advantages, inflatable tires can be prone to problems such as blowing out or losing air pressure quickly during cold weather or hot weather conditions. However, their benefits in terms of speed and energy efficiency have kept them firmly entrenched in modern transportation options.