This extremely rare silent film shows prototype tires created by the Martin Tire Company for use in combat on Jeeps and trucks. The “elastic spoke” tires used no air, instead carrying all the vehicle’s load in tension. Tests appeared to indicate that the tires functioned well in various conditions and provided improved braking characteristics and shock absorption for the driver.

Information about this tire is rare but the patent for the tires, US 2331212 A, indicates that they were patented in 1943 by James Martin. His application stated that: “The primary purpose of my invention is to provide an easier riding and safer type of tire and one which will not require a spare tire for change over on the road. A further object is to provide a type of tire which will permit control of an automobile over rough roads at higher speeds than are possible with inflated tires and a still further object is to provide a comparatively cool tire at high speeds. Still further objects are to provide a flexible type of tire for climbing curbs or tracks at small angles and to hold and conform to the road while delivering less violence to the axles over bumps in the road. “

You can see the full patent at: http://www.google.com/patents/US2331212

These experimental tires may be compared to some recently developed by Michelin that use metal springs in place of pneumatics and rubber.

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This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD and 2k. For more information visit http://www.PeriscopeFilm.com