On this day, John Boyd Dunlop applied for a patent for his newly-invented pneumatic tyre. He invented the tyre for his son’s tricycle in order to provide him with a smoother ride. The patent was awarded on 7th December and although it was later withdrawn after discovering that Robert William Thomson had already patented a pneumatic tyre in 1845, Dunlop and his partner, Harvey Du Cros continued to experiment, effectively inventing the first commercially successful pneumatic tyre. It came at a time when there was a great demand for John Kemp Starley’s new safety bicycle, a demand that became even greater after the cyclist Willie Hume won seven out of eight races using the new pneumatic tyre. John Boyd Dunlop, however, dropped any ties to the burgeoning company well before his name was used for the business.
that’ s curious😁
It’s interesting to find out what inspired some modern inventions. In this case a kid’s comfort on his tricycle!
yeah👍