WHO INVENTED THE PNEUMATIC TYRE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12585, 16 August 1910, Page 2

WHO INVENTED THE PNEUMATIC TYRE.

("Daily Mail.")

The dispute arose about a statue. Who invented the pneumatic tyre? To whom fehciikl Edinburgh give honour in bronze "or marble? To a Mr. R. W. Thomson, who patented an air-filled tyro in 1345, or to John Dumlop, who invented the pneumatic tyre in 1838? Tho dispute carries the imagination back over one of the most astonishing episodes in our industrial historq. It begins with a mystery of invention. It culminates in financial operations on a poalo unexampled in our day, and tho development of innumerable industries connected with the use of rubber.

It was, indeed, in 1845 that Thomson pa tea ted the idea of affixing a "belt" filled with compressed air to the rim of n carriage wheel, and although his invention never came into practical use, ho showed great knowledge of the good effects which would follow froml the us© of the pneumatic tyre. Thomson, however, was ahead of his time, aud his f.yro found no favour. MR, DUNLOP'S DISCOVERY.

Forty-three years later John Dunlop, without any knowledge of the Thomson invention, patented a pneixmatic tyro. Mora than onoe I have hoard from Mr. Dunlop himself the simple tale Mf how ho cams to invent this device. The "safety" bicycle had then come into vogue, but its wheels were shod with solid rubber tyres. Mr. Dunlop's litfclo son possessed a tricycle, and as tho Dwnlops tl*ni lived in Belfast, and the Irish roads were of very had surface, this veterinary surgeon applied his mind to contrive some means for minimising the harsh jolting to Avhich his boy was subjected when he rode hi? tricycle. A rubber tube filled with compressed air was evolved"; and it afforded such comfort to the ridei- that Mr. Dunlop brought the idea before adult cyclists, and some enthusiasm 'was aroused among them. But Mr. Dunlop would havo hardly been more successful in 188S than Thomson in 1845 had not ancther nrnii-appeared on the scene. Mr. Harvey dv Cros was at that timo a prominent 'figure in Irish sporting circles, and his sons were famous for their prowess in cycle racing. With true business instinct, Mr.dv Cros saw the immense possibilities of the pneumatic tyre for cycles, and he threw himself heart and soul into the work of making this crude invention practicable. His early efforts were greeted with derision. Cyclists and cycle manufacturers scoffed at the clumsy "bolster' tyro offered to them, and almost-with-out exception experts declared against it.

THE NEW TYRE IN ENGLAND

Then Mr.dv Cros brought si band ol Irish cyclists, including his sons and Mr. R. J. Mecredy, to England, anu they gained sweeping victories with the pneumatic tyre on the racing track. It was evident now that the new invention would eventually triumph, but a long and desperate fight against conservatism and prejudice had still to bo waged, and it is reasonable to assiimti that but for the enterprise and ability of Mr. Harvey dv Cros Mr. Dunlop's i Ivention might have lain dormant i'or many years. Had this been the case the whole progress of modern locomotion from motoring to airmanship would havo been, checked, for we can trace the direct influence of the air-filled tyre in ■all th; 3 astonishing developments of the last twenty-two years. So from the bad stato of Irish roads, from the solicitude of a fond parent to v make smooth progress for his son's cycle over rough roads, Thomson's idea was re-created, and this time the right man was at hand to develop the idea. From the pneumatic-tyred bicycle there, evolved naturaly the idea of fitting air tyres to motor-cars, and in this direction France led the way. The crude mechanism of the c-ary motors was saved from the rough vibration of ths roads, and the automobile improved with amazing swiftness as soon as these tyres were employed. With the progress of tho motor-car came the perfecting of tho petrol engine and its application to manifold purposes. Last of all, it made the airship and the aeroplane possible, and in each of these vessels rubbei fabric is extensively employed. WHAT THE INVENTION HAS MEANT.

Follow tho evolution from small to great. To-day cycles are numbered in millions, the total in the # United King dovn beinj.' over three millions. There arc close on 180,000 motor vehicles in tho United Kingdom, and the world's total must soon approximate to halt n million. All over the globe the trail of tho air-filled tyre has been laid by millions and millions of wheels, and the load is becoming once more the main artery of our social system. In the air, too, we are tracing new routes by tb» aid of tho petrol engine. Airships aro being built by every 'Great Power, and of aeroplanes' Franco alone has already nearly two hundred, most of thorn fitted with pneumatic-tyred wheels. With all this has eomo the creation of many mi portant trades and the encouragement of innumerable allied industries, perhaps tho most remarkable industrial development being that .in' connection with the production of raw rubber. And this colossal factor in our industrial life has tome into existence b*v. cause of the discomfort to a child cycling along the lough roads of Irolfind. Whether of Dunlop or of Thorn Edinburgh's statue will not bft without -significance as a symbol in our industrial history.