5 Strange Historical Tire Facts

A wheely interesting look at tires throughout history.

Posted January 16, 2023

Fun fact. At Signature Tire, we’re pretty crazy about all things tires.

We’re the ones who make snowmen or Christmas trees out of tires in the winter. Every one of our kids has a tire swing. We use tires as flower pots. You get the picture.

And because we’re quirky, we thought you needed to know some strange tire facts that you can drop at your next family dinner. (Yes. You’re now one of us.)

The Neanderthals Weren’t Popping Wheelies

Contrary to popular belief — Neanderthals didn’t create the wheel. The first wheels were made of stone in 3500 B.C in Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq.) But they weren’t used for transportation. They were invented as a pottery wheel. Yep – being able to store food and water AND cook were more important than going to the drive-in.

The stone wheels weren’t used until 300 years later when someone brilliant thought they could be used for carts and chariots. These stone wheels may have worked for Fred Flintstone, but they were heavy and inefficient. (And you thought mowing the lawn was tough.)

Eventually, iron wheels were invented and used to replace stone wheels. Iron wheels were lighter and more durable, but they still had their limitations. They weren’t flexible, and the iron wore down quickly on rough roads.

The Invention That Changed Our Lives Forever

In 1844, American inventor Charles Goodyear discovered and patented vulcanization, a process that heats rubber with sulfur to make it durable, elastic and moldable. This was a game-changer for the failing rubber industry. Rubber tires started to sell commercially.

The first solid rubber tires were used on bicycles in 1868 —good-bye teeth rattling iron wheels!

Without Charles Goodyear? You’d jump on your bicycle with iron wheels for a teeth-chattering ride home from the grocery store. You can imagine what the eggs would look like.

Tires Just Kept Getting Better and Better

As technology advanced, so did tire design.

In the early 20th century, pneumatic tires (fancy phrase for inflatable) were invented, which used air pressure to provide a smoother ride.

Tires also became wider, which improved traction and stability. In the 1930s, radial tires were invented, which had a radial cord woven into the tire that improved its strength and durability.

Your Modern Tires: Increased Safety and Performance

You don’t have to cross your fingers before you get into your vehicle anymore.

Today, tires are designed with advanced technology and materials to provide increased safety and performance. Tires have tread pattern options specifically designed for various weather and road conditions— all-season, summer, and winter tires.

Tires are also designed with cool advanced features such as run-flat technology, which allows a vehicle to continue driving even after a puncture. A huge peace of mind for those who don’t know how to change a tire or don’t want to do it at night. Or in the rain. By the side of a busy highway.

And What’s In The Future For Tires?

If you just thought of the Jetsons? That future is closer than you may think!

There are many ideas already in the works: smart tires that tell you when you need to replace them; airless tires; eco-friendly tires that aren’t made with rubber; and tires that automatically reshape themselves for road conditions.

And just as important —there are inventors working on how to reuse the 200 million tires that are disposed of each year.

Questions? Our Advisors are Happy to Help!

If you have questions about anything you've read in this resource page, contact your nearest dealer for more information. We are passionate in assisting our customers make the best choices to keep their vehicles in tip-top shape and keep their families safe.