History of Tyres & the Evolution of Tyre Technology

The automotive industry has experienced countless technological advancements over time, including the introduction of voice recognition technology, electrically-charged vehicles, and most recently, the unveiling of Australia’s first self-driving car developed in Victoria.

One’s mind doesn’t usually include tyres in the industry’s long history of technological advancements, yet tyres play one of the most fundamental roles in the evolution of the automobile, coming an incredibly long way from the bulky wooden wheel and even the first modern day tyre, to changing beyond our recognition.

Not only has the tyre itself changed, so has its functionality. The demand on tyres is constantly shifting with our lifestyles, which is why the innovation around them is constantly leaping forward. While on the surface tyres don’t appear remotely complex, there are a number of factors that impact today’s drivers are the durability, performance and safety of tyres.

If we take a step back in time, the first Pneumatic tyre dates back to the 1800s which sees a basic tyre covered with rubber and filled with air. At the time this was seen as nothing short of revolutionary as there had never been such progression in the entire auto industry. While this approach worked for early motorcars, different advances in car manufacturing saw engines become more powerful, which required tyres with increased compliance became necessary to handle the demands.

As the popularisation of automobiles started growing in the early 1900s, tyres needed to evolve again to become more sustainable on the changing road surfaces. At the time, an increased emphasis on tyre safety became a focus as vehicles were being driven at much faster speeds and more regularly than ever before. Brands like Dunlop and Continental were early champions of producing tyres optimised for safety. Over time, environmental conservation also became increasingly important to drivers, driving the development of eco-friendly cars like the hydrogen car and electric car. Accordingly, tyres like Hankook increased their fuel economy which at the same time helped protect the upkeep of the environment. Specifically, they secured technology for the development of an eco-friendly runflat tyre with 106% in weight, and 95% in driving comfort with tyres below 45 Series.

Auto technology continues to advance before our eyes in 2016, which is reflected in the continuous advancements in tyres from industry leaders like Blue Streak and Nexen. We are seeing new prototypes being designed, engineered and manufactured around the world to meet the demands of the shifting consumer market. From energy-saving tyre innovations, to Michelin’s  and Pirelli’s high performance racing technology converted into a street tyre made for every day roads, there is no telling where the future of tyres will lead.