When you took history in school, you talked about the War of 1812 or how the settlers came to the U.S. You probably didn’t learn too much about tires, right? Well, today, you’re in luck! The experts at Schafer’s Auto Center would like to take you back to history class and teach you a little bit about the history of modern Philadelphia tires!
As you may have noticed in the last couple of decades…things change. There’s not much you can do to stop it. While you may click one button on your phone now to make a call instead of using a rotary dial, have you ever thought about how much tires have changed over the years? Probably not!
Before air was used in tires, they were covered by leather, wood, iron, or solid rubber. They weren’t very shock absorbent, but they had some grip to them and they were very durable! It took a number of years for tires to progress to the way we see them today.
The modern tire was actually created and patented by Robert Thompson in 1847. However, it wasn’t very successful. At that time, people preferred solid rubber because it was more durable. But when bicycles became popular in later years, the concept of a smoother ride became more popular. John Boyd Dunlop manufactured an air-filled tire in 1888 and the cushion allowed him to ride a bike without getting a headache on bumpy roads. The design was simple, but it worked!
The first few air-filled tire designs were simple and easy. However, the materials have changed over the years and the design, durability, and functionality have changed with it. Tire tread, for example, is one of the most innovative design changes to help the surface grip with the tires and aid handling. Tread and rubber can help vehicles handle better in many different road conditions.
Who knows what the future will hold when it comes to tire evolution. There are hundreds of factories around the world pumping out tires for a number of different reasons. You get the comfort and performance you need on a bike, in a car, and in a number of other areas. Whether you want a certain ride or a certain way of handling, there’s a tire for you. The only trick is finding the right tire for the job you have at hand!
Whether you know what you need today or not, you can count on the experts at Schafer’s Auto Center. SAC is here to outfit your vehicle with the best Philadelphia tire for your needs. Give us a call at 215-755-1270 and we’ll get started on finding that tire. If you do a lot of driving in the winter, we’ll make sure you have superior grip. If you’re more concerned about appearance, we’ll get you the best-looking tires on the market. Whatever you want, we’ll find it for you. Stop by at your convenience and see some options in person at 1924 S Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19148.
