CYCLING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2553, 14 July 1909, Page 6

CYCLING.

THE PNEUMATIC TYRE. Some interesting opinions of tho pneumatic tyre, when it was introduced some twenty years ago by Mr J. B. Dunlop, have recently come to light, and they make curious reading to-day. A prominent . member iof the trade, when asked how he viewed the pneumatic principle, _ said:—“With, regard to inflated tyres, I hold the same, opinion as Mr —, that air cannot be permanently confined in any substance, such as rubber, owing to its porosity, and, what is more, that after each successive inflation, the power of retention becomes less and less. Add to this the series of accidents arising from punctures and defective valves, must place inflated tyres out of the running for rough-and-tumble work, in spite of'the theoretical advantages that can be adduced in their favor.”. The late. Mr J. K. Stanley, one of Britain’s first cycle manufacturers, expressed himself thus : —‘ -My own impression is that the outcome of the matter (the introduction of the. air-tyre) will bo a greater demand for* larger tyres, arid, I think, if made of the best quality flexible rubber, they will prove the best in the end.” One accurate forecast, at least, of the possibilities of the pneumatic was made, and so far back as 1889, the year following its invention,. Mr R. J. Macredv, of Dublin, a Pressman and a racer, opined that “if the new tyre wears moderately, and can he repaired by the rider, thousands will adopt it; and if the tyre is found .to wear really well, as is confidently expected by those who have used it, tho invention promises to be one of the most successful of the age/ and to revolutionise cyclixio-.” ft mav he here' remarked that in"iß9l Mr Macredy visited England on a racing tour, using the pneumatic tvres for the first time in Great Britain, and literally won every race, including the .whole of tho English championships. His successes naturally gave a great impetus to the pneumatic tyre, ancl from that time its future was assured.