Democratic Sentinel, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 December 1895 — The First Pneumetio Tire. [ARTICLE]

The First Pneumetio Tire.

Very few of tin* hundreds of thousands of cyclists who now enjoy tlie pastime on an up-to-date safety, shod with pneumatic tires, have an Idea from -wlint a erode contrivance those fume air cushions on (heir wheels have been evolved. I‘ueuinatlc tiros were Invented in ISBt> by B. Dunlop, a horse doctor of Belfast. Ireland, lie had a son who rode a tricycle, ami who by his Indulgence lmd developed a nervous trouble. The veterinary concluded that tln* hoy's disorder was due solely to the Jolting of tlie wheels, and. planning to do away with the objection, so that the lad might continue ids exercise, .he lilt upon the idea of putting air cushions upon the wheels. With only such material ns he had at hand for use in doctoring equine Invalids, he sel to work, lining n broomstick ns u mandrel, lie wrapped It spirally with linen bandages. Next, lie took some rubber sheets aud solutloued tiu-m around tin* linen. The ends also lie fastened with rubber solution. He inserted a valve a little better than a plug, and putting It on the wheels, started ills son away on tlie first pneumatic tires. It was quickly found that I lie rough ond ready style of fabric would not hold air, mid so an inner sheath of pure rubber was tried. The valve was vulcanized to this Inner tills* In such n way that In the event tis any trouble with the valve an entire new air sheath was (lie only remedy. Flat rims were used at the time, aud the tiros were fastened to the rim by a strip of muslin which on me out with the free edges front the under side of the tires. These ends were wrapped around Hie rim and vulcanized to it. The linen completely covered the rim. effectually concealing Its material. Tires such as those were used for n couple of years. They weighed from twelve to fifteen pounds a pair, and a puncture In one of them wus about as serious a matter as a broken frame Is at tlie present time.