Pneumatic Tire
John Boyd Dunlop, Britain, patent 10607 of 1888. Air-filled tires that made wheels comfortable.
Overview
Dunlop, a Belfast vet, patented the air tire for his son's tricycle, unaware Robert Thomson had patented a leather version in 1845. Thomson's patent had expired unused; Dunlop's timing met the safety bicycle boom. The Dunlop company formed, tire patents consolidated around it. Harvey du Cros financed and William Harvey exploited the portfolio. Comfortable tires multiplied cycling, then became mandatory for cars. Tire patents built a century of industry from Michelin to Goodyear.
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