Re: Radial or Bias Ply Tires???

Posted by Rusty O\'Toole On 2010/10/15 21:34:21

The safety rim wheel was invented by Chrysler corporation and first used in 1941. The idea was by putting a ridge around the tire bead, the bead would stay put in case of a blowout. This would make the car much more controllable. In those days a blowout often meant the tire came off the rim and got wound around the axle, throwing the car completely out of control.

Chrysler offered the industry free use of their patent, in the interest of hiway safety but no one took them up on their offer for years. The reason was the slight increase in manufacturing cost, less than a dime per wheel.