Car Tire Remnant

1900’s – early 1920’s white car tire remnant. Rubber tires were naturally white. It was discovered that adding carbon black to the rubber mix increased the longevity, traction, and heat resistance of automobile and motorcycle tires. By 1920, solid white tires were all but gone with few exceptions. This is a remnant of a bias ply white rubber car tire. The layers of cotton cords can be seen in a crisscross pattern. There’s a wear mark in the center. It’s believed Ed used this as a knee pad while working on the rocks. Old car tires were plentiful and unlike modern steel belted tires, these bias ply cotton cord tires could be cut with a sharp knife into any shape you needed.