John Boyd Dunlop patents the pneumatic bicycle tyre

Background. John Boyd Dunlop was a Scottish inventor and veterinary surgeon who spent most of his career in Ireland. He established a veterinary practice in Belfast, which became one of the largest in Ireland by the mid-1880s. Familiar with making rubber devices, he invented practical pneumatic tyres for his child's tricycle, developing them for use in cycle racing.

Development. In October 1887, Dunlop developed the first practical pneumatic tyre for his son's tricycle. Using his knowledge of rubber, he fitted an inflatable tube to a wooden disc 96 centimetres across in the yard of his home in Belfast. He tested the tyre at Cherryvale sports ground in South Belfast.

Patent. A patent was granted on 7 December 1888. Dunlop's patent specification, dated 31 October 1888, limited his interest to the use of the tyre in cycles and light vehicles. Unknown to Dunlop, another Scot, Robert William Thomson, had patented a pneumatic tyre in 1847.

Commercialization. Dunlop sold his rights to the pneumatic tyres to a company formed with Harvey du Cros, president of the Irish Cyclists' Association. This company, later renamed Pneumatic Tyre and Booth's Cycle Agency, was Du Cros's creation. Commercial production of cycle tyres began in late 1890 in Belfast.