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John Boyd Dunlop (1840-1921)
The Scottish/Irish Tire Inventor?
John Boyd Dunlop is remembered as having patented the first pneumatic (air filled) tire. He is also claimed by both Scotland and Ireland as one of their own.
John Boyd Dunlop was born in a rural farming community in Dreghorn, Ayrshire Scotland. Dunlop worked as a veterinary surgeon in Edinburgh for nearly ten years before moving to Belfast Ireland. Once in Ireland, he developed a large veterinary practice. He found the roads to be particularly rough for his wagon’s wooden and iron wheels. Nothing could diminish the jostling that occurred on each wagon trip.
While solid rubber tires were beginning to be mounted on wagons and carriages, they tended to offer only minimal improvement over traditional wheels. Moreover, solid rubber tires tended to wear out relatively fast, so the advantages were rather minimal.
Dunlop rationalized that there must be a better way to apply the benefits of the new solid rubber tires but improve upon their basic design. In 1887 he began experimenting with rubber tires on his son’s tricycle. Dunlop eventually stretched a thin rubber sheet covered with fabric over the bicycle wheel and inflated the tire. Dunlop’s tire reduced vibration, was lighter and dramatically improved traction. The following year Dunlop patented his invention. Or should we say re-invention?
As it turns out, unknown to Dunlop, a fellow Scot, Robert William Thompson had patented the very same idea in 1845! Seeking to take full advantage of his “re-invention” patent, Dunlop formed a small rubber company to produce the new pneumatic tires. A legal battle ensued with Thompson. Eventually Dunlop won the legal battle but victory was not particularly sweet.
Not long after winning the right to his invention, Dunlop sold his patent, fledgling tire company and the rights to use his name to Harvey Du Cross. Ultimately Dunlop’s financial gain was minimal. However, Du Cross would go on to build one of the leading tire companies in the world.
Nonetheless, John Boyd Dunlop is remembered as the inventor of the pneumatic (air filled) tire. With Dunlop’s invention, the modern tire was introduced and the tire industry was launched. Dunlop retired to Dublin Ireland and died in 1921 at the age of 81.
Related Terms:
Harvey Du Cross
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More Wheel And Tire Information:
Wheels And Tires Overview
Tire Construction
Wheel And Tire Glossary
Wheel And Tire Milestones In Auto History
General Information:
Milestones In Auto History
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