From wooden cart wheels to Land Cruiser tires

From time to time, entrepreneurs in transportation development pose a question that might seem ordinary, yet it represents a historical turning point in human life. From wooden cartwheels to Land Cruiser tires: How has our lives changed? Did that simple circular disc play a role in humanity reaching its current state? Have wheels played an important role in our lives as humans? The most important and intriguing question is: Will tires accompany us for long on our earthly journey, or will they eventually disappear?

Before we answer these questions, which may seem simple on the surface but contain a parallel world and universe, let us surprise you by revealing that even to this day, countries around the world still dispute the honor of this invention, with everyone claiming that the first circular wheel in history appeared on their land. The reason is that the circular wheel, despite its simplicity, literally changed the world map; without it, races would not have intermingled!

Key Historical Turning Points in Human Life:

One of the striking facts many people are unaware of is that development and modernity are inherent human instincts. From the creation of Adam until today, the pursuit of perfection and reaching the pinnacle has remained a human priority. The goal of all peoples, civilizations, and nations has been to live a life as close to paradise as possible.

Driven by this instinct and unique mindset, many inventions and discoveries emerged in human life, leading us to the development and modernity we experience today. Perhaps the most significant of these discoveries are:

1. Hunting Tools and Sharp Implements:

No one can overlook the significant impact hunting tools and sharp implements had on human history. In the early stages of life, humans were vegetarians, subsisting on plants near their shelters. However, climate change and environmental shifts compelled them to adopt a new dietary pattern. They found themselves unarmed and vulnerable against the might of the animal kingdom, whose key characteristics include stealth and self-defense. Thus, humans began developing simple tools to aid in hunting and confronting other creatures, and these tools played the most crucial role in their ascent to the top of the natural food chain.

It began with stones and sticks, followed by hammers and spears, until humans finally arrived at a modern and remarkable tool, what we now call the "knife." This tool was the initial spark for subsequent changes, serving as a weapon for hunting, warfare, travel, and migration. Some believe this simple invention played the most significant role in the emergence of social stratification and superiority among nations. We will not delve into explaining this idea in this article, but suffice it to say that this concept continues to this day, as the arms race is evident to all.

2. The Discovery of Fire:

Fire is considered a given today, yet some ancient civilizations worshipped it due to their intense admiration and awe. In all civilizations, fire is a fundamental component of existence, a companion to humans since ancient times. Thanks to it, humans learned that everything in this universe has a solution and an opposite; even the darkness that was a nightmare for them was conquered by a small flame. Fire later transformed into an important industrial and civilizational tool, its light shining in most industries worldwide.

3. Agriculture: The First Building Block of Civilization:

Some philosophers have linked the terms "civility" and "urbanization" with agriculture. When humans realized they could influence the growth and spread of surrounding plants, the idea of establishing what we call a kingdom or state sparked in their minds. Humans no longer needed to migrate and search across various parts of the earth for food; food became their constant companion. From that moment, human civilization emerged.

4. Wheels: Their Journey from a Simple Tool to a Great Deity for the Greeks:

Indeed, wheels and tires, which are considered commonplace today, were used by some civilizations as symbols representing deities, such as the ancient Greeks, who symbolized renewal and prosperous life with a winged circular wheel. This simple tool enabled them to traverse the earth, leading all civilizations to agree on the idea that the wheel was the first invention to turn the globe into a single village. However, the problem that remains unsolved from that time until today is: To whom is this revolutionary invention attributed? And when did wheels first appear in history?

Wheels: An Ancient Historical Mystery:

Some might think the statement "wheels are an ancient historical mystery" is an exaggeration, but historical studies confirm this hypothesis. Stepping away from the complexities of research centers, let's cast our minds back to 1960, specifically to the day the first episode of a wonderfully charming old children's show, The Flintstones, aired.

The paradox this show explored, which made it an enduring television masterpiece, was its portrayal of Stone Age society with a distinct modern flair. All the tools we use today were present in that show, but made of stone or wood, such as televisions, telephones, computers, and cars. Beyond the humor and fantasy applied in that series, the circular stone wheel is a reality and a common link between our world today and that distant past. Historical studies have concluded that wheels appeared on Earth more than 12,000 years ago! This makes wheels, specifically, one of the oldest inventions known to humankind, much like sharp tools. We will certainly explore the stages the wheel went through and the features of each stage.

Mobility and Transportation: Past and Present:

For centuries, humans have devised ways to move from one place to another. Initially, the instinctive and sole available method was running and walking. This was followed by simple sleds that were dragged and pulled across the ground without wheels[1], an invention primarily attributed to ancient American tribes.

In colder regions, humans used sleds[2]. In more advanced stages, humans enlisted domesticated animals like horses and dogs to pull these simple types of tools. In other civilizations, shoulder-borne conveyances were used, with the Pharaohs and Babylonians being among the most famous civilizations to employ this method. Humans continued to evolve, reaching today's methods and technologies that would astound our ancestors with their speed and advancement, such as airplanes in the sky, ships and amphibious vehicles in the water, and cars and high-speed trains on land. The most famous invention and the common factor across all eras remains the wheel.

1- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Travois
2- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sled

While ancient American tribes were still using travois, people in Asia had already invented the wheel. Some studies even suggest that only 200 years passed between the appearance of humans as we know them on Earth and their invention of the wheel. This is considered a very short period, almost a scientific miracle. This leaves us with the crucial questions: Where and when were wheels invented? What prompted humans to invent such a thing? And what tools did they use to make them?

Researchers needed a full century of study and investigation to answer these three simple questions. Yet, their answers are considered insufficient, and more importantly, unclear. These questions have been addressed as follows:

Where and when were wheels invented?

To this day, researchers have been unable to pinpoint the exact starting point. This is because evidence has emerged proving the invention of the wheel at various times and in many different regions of the world. Even ancient American tribes invented the wheel at a time when they were still using wheel-less travois, meaning they employed two methods of transport. Wheels also appeared simultaneously in India, China, and East Asia.

The most astonishing fact emerged when a circular stone disc dating back to the Neolithic Age was discovered. This stone was estimated to be 12,000 years old. What further surprised and astonished scientists was the discovery of a wooden axle dating back to the same period. This revealed that humans, 10,000 years before Christ, had invented a wheeled vehicle, albeit a simple one that wouldn't quite be called a "cart" or "chariot." However, we can say that the children's show The Flintstones didn't lie or exaggerate when it depicted Stone Age humans driving vehicles in that era. For circular stone discs, or what we call "wheels" today, existed in that era, albeit in a simpler form, beyond the humor and imagination of The Flintstones' writer and director.

In summary: To this moment, we have been unable to determine when and where wheels first appeared. What complicates matters further is that new evidence periodically emerges, proving that wheels are an invention as old as humanity itself. The origin and history of this invention remain unknown to this day.

What prompted humans to invent wheels?

As previously mentioned, modernity, development, and the pursuit of perfection are innate human behaviors. Researchers believe that humans invented the wheel when faced with the following situations:

1. Constant migration and the human need to transport simple belongings smoothly without having to carry them for tens or hundreds of miles.
2. Agriculture, which necessitated new transport methods for carrying crops and farming supplies.
3. When humans were able to domesticate creatures like horses, dogs, and other animals used for transport, wheels imposed themselves as an urgent necessity and a new civilized method to help them move faster.

In general, there are dozens, if not hundreds, of hypotheses discussing the reasons that drove humans to invent wheels. However, the simplest and most well-known are these three hypotheses.

What tools did humans use to make wheels?

Some consider the tools humans used to make wheels to be a secondary concern. However, understanding how they were made and the tools used at each stage helps us comprehend the nature and development of societies at every phase. It also reveals the progression and evolution within this industry. The beginning was with a stone wheel, but today, competition is fierce to develop tires and invent new methods more effective than air. And certainly, below you will learn about the most important technologies humans have achieved and the future of tires as well.

The Evolution of Wheels and Tires and Their Most Important Historical Milestones

The current form of tires today is merely the result of a long journey through dozens of stages that have been ongoing for thousands of years. However, certain points marked historical turning points in this industry, which can be divided into the following stages:

1. Stone Wheels:

This phase is almost entirely shrouded in mystery, primarily due to the lack of evidence confirming that Stone Age humans converted stones and rocks into wheels for transportation. Evidence was limited to a few archaeological findings and observations, indicating that this practice was not common in that era. Instead, it was likely an individual effort by some members of that ancient generation, which ended 9,000 years before Christ. This is attributed to the difficulty of carving rock and stone, in addition to the immense weight of rock compared to its size, leading ancient humans to find no practical benefit in such an invention.

2. Pottery Wheels:

What distinguishes pottery wheels from their stone predecessors is the existence of dozens of pieces of evidence proving their use in ancient civilizations and before Christ. Traces and evidence have been found in Iraq, Greece, Egypt, Europe, and Africa, all confirming human use of these wheels. However, they were not used for transporting large or medium loads, but rather for moving individuals or light, simple objects.

3. Wooden Wheels:

From this moment, a revolution in this industry began. With the discovery and invention of wooden wheels, humans excelled in transportation, travel, and migration. This phase began 4,000 years before Christ. Small models and simple toys equipped with wooden wheels and wooden or metal axles, dating back to 1,000 BC, have been found. This indicates that humans had mastered wheel manufacturing to the extent that they were making them for simple items like toys and small models.

4. Metal Wheels:

The emergence of metal wheels was a complementary stage to wooden wheels. With this revolutionary invention, the concept of industry, in both its ancient and modern forms, truly took shape. Imagine humans inventing a circular metal disc that could be used in any industry. Studies confirm that metal wheels appeared 1,200 years before Christ in China, India, Iraq, the Levant, Egypt, and Southern and Northern Europe. However, the most significant turning point in this phase was the appearance of the steam train, which relied primarily on metal wheels and railway tracks, and was the first fast and ideal means of transport.

5. Tires:

The term "tires" first appeared with the use of leather strips wrapped around metal and wooden wheels in the 16th century AD. Europeans were the first to use this technique. The leather strips helped reduce friction and increase the speed of wheeled vehicles, in addition to absorbing shocks that the wheels encountered on rough roads.

In 1847, the Scottish inventor Robert William Thomson introduced the first pneumatic wheel. However, his invention was not accepted and was completely rejected by Western society, with the question "How could air possibly bear weights and loads!?" His tires only gained acceptance and popularity among his friends and close circle of acquaintances. Everything changed in 1888 when John Boyd Dunlop amazed the world with the invention of the pneumatic tire. Yet, there's an incredible and amusing paradox in this event: some inventions, despite their importance, were born purely by chance.

The Amusing Way the World Discovered Tires:

When we use the term "tires," we are referring to a new pattern and a new stage unlike any other in wheel manufacturing. The term "wheel" refers to a circular disc made of wood or metal and not equipped with air. Tires, on the other hand, are circular discs made of metal and surrounded by a rubber casing containing air. But now that we know the difference between a wheel and a tire, how did humans invent the tire?

Thomson Invented, Dunlop Reaped:

To this day, the scientific community poses a question: Why is Edison the more famous scientist, while Thomson is the one who truly shaped science and the world? This question is not without merit. The Scottish scientist Robert William Thomson invented dozens, even hundreds, of products that had a significant impact on human history, yet only a few of his discoveries became widespread or received patents.

Perhaps his most important inventions were writing and drawing tools, such as the refillable fountain pen. This invention, which might seem simple, is considered a pivotal turning point in human history. Some believe that the fountain pen accelerated the pace and succession of inventions, significantly reducing the time required for research from decades and years to months, or even days.

Thomson invented everything: engines, lifts, and steam-powered devices. He was also interested in plastics and flexible fibers, seeing these fibers as a magical raw material. Somehow, he managed to invent the pneumatic tire, which consists of a flexible casing containing air. He integrated this invention with metal and wooden wheels and obtained a patent for this great discovery. However, his invention was met with significant rejection from investors and consumers for several reasons, the most important of which were:

1. The tires were not practical and were easily torn.
2. Society's difficulty in accepting the concept, as they were accustomed to the previous type of tires.
3. The high price and cost of those tires, from which society saw no worthwhile return.

These challenges led Thomson to publish and promote his invention within his close circle, but the true paradox emerged almost forty years later.

The moment tires became a global commodity and the talk of the town:

In 1888, in Northern Ireland, veterinarian John Boyd Dunlop invented a pneumatic tire. In truth, the tire Dunlop invented was perfectly compatible with Thomson's invention, but the rubber fibers Dunlop used were more advanced than their predecessors. But where does the paradox lie?

When Thomson invented the tire, his invention was specifically intended as a new type of wheel. For Dunlop, however, the situation was entirely different. His ten-year-old son, Johnny, suffered from a strange syndrome. Without warning, he would experience severe dizziness and nausea that prevented him from moving. In other cases, he would suffer from headaches that could last for several hours or even days. The doctor suggested to John's father that he teach him to ride a tricycle to stimulate his balance centers and thus alleviate the symptoms of dizziness, nausea, and headaches. It was then that the inventor Dunlop's name became prominent.

Dunlop conceived a way to make riding a bicycle on rough terrain smoother. He already used rubber in his work for splinting animal bones, so he began developing a rubber tire. After his success, his son Johnny was the first to benefit from this invention; indeed, the child became a living marketing tool. However, Dr. John Fagan wouldn't let him enjoy this product alone.

Dr. John joined him in developing the invention, but in a different way. The truth, unknown to Dunlop, was that pneumatic tires were already widespread at the time, but without specific standards or measurements. They were merely local, individual inventions popular among people, and their use was limited to bicycles only. Early carriages and automobiles did not rely on them, due to a lack of trust and because no one had been able to provide a durable tire. Thus, the two doctors collaborated on their invention, and Dunlop's tires appeared publicly, in a form completely different from its predecessor.

An ingenious trick to promote Dunlop's pneumatic tires:

The two doctors, despite their lack of interest in the tire world, continued to promote their ideal invention. However, the reality they faced was no different from Thomson's experience. Everyone believed Dunlop's tires were just like any other simple, handmade tire. So, Dr. Fagan proposed an ingenious plan to his partner Dunlop, a plan that would completely change the course of the tire industry.

The two partners offered Irish cyclist Willie Hume the chance to use their tires in a cycling race held in England. The cyclist accepted their offer after negotiations that lasted for days and weeks. In 1889, Hume astonished everyone by winning first place with a significant time difference between him and the other cyclists. In his first statement, he declared: "If it weren't for Dunlop tires, I wouldn't have won the race." This statement became the greatest turning point in the history of this global industry.

The world of pneumatic tires: a unique blend of the Industrial Revolution and the world of investment:

In 1870, the Second Industrial Revolution marked a historical turning point in human life. The aristocracy no longer dominated the world; the concepts of wealth and poverty changed, and it became easy for everyone to build fortunes. Whereas the rich remained rich until death and the poor remained slaves until death, with feudal lords controlling the economy while farmers and laborers had no means of financial or professional success, and thus no way to accumulate wealth or build a comprehensive financial economy not governed by feudalism, the Industrial Revolution arrived and changed the world's concepts, just as technology has changed our lives today.

The pioneers of the Industrial Revolution focused on invention, creativity, and innovation. The machine emerged, and with it, the so-called "new industrialists." The poor blacksmith, who was once busy making the best horseshoe, became the owner of a large factory, shifting his focus to more precise and efficient industries using machines, leading to an economic boom in various fields.

Among the outputs of the Industrial Revolution was rubber, which became the cornerstone of the pneumatic tire world. After continuous work and strenuous effort by many inventors, tires reached their optimal form. Investors flocked to this industry with their money, and here emerged a unique blend that we might not be exaggerating to describe as one that will continue for at least 200 years from now!

The reason for proposing this revolutionary hypothesis is the continuous changes occurring in this world. Just imagine the extent of development this industry has undergone over the past 150 years. Today, tires are no longer exclusive to bicycles; they have become a comprehensive industry, starting with toy cars and small vehicles and extending to vehicles weighing tens of tons. Consequently, investing in companies operating in this field is considered a guaranteed long-term success. But what are the most important turning points this industry has experienced?

Key turning points in the pneumatic tire industry:

With the dawn of the new millennium, dozens of wonderful inventions and additions appeared in the world of tires. But the question is: How did it all begin? Or what were the additions that made a difference in this industry in its early stages?

Intertwined Tire Fibers

In 1905, Michelin developed a new fiber pattern that, three years later, helped it enter the world of large-scale transport and heavy loads. In 1908, Michelin declared: "It is now easy for the world to produce giant cars and vehicles." Michelin did not stop at this statement but participated in numerous investments to develop large cargo and transport vehicles, based on a purely economic concept: if large trucks and buses emerged, it would mean the flourishing of a new line of tires, leading to greater profits and leadership in a field that other companies were unable to enter.

The fibers adopted by the company consisted of layers of fibers oriented in different directions. These fibers were constructed in a crisscross, interwoven, and interlocking manner simultaneously, which gave them the rigidity and strength to withstand heavy loads.

Resistant Synthetic Rubber:

In 1931, DuPont successfully developed a type of synthetic rubber that was both flexible and tear-resistant, capable of supporting heavier loads. This development was a true precursor to the emergence of heavy equipment. Companies involved in transportation, excavation, and construction, such as "Caterpillar," relied heavily on tires made from synthetic rubber interwoven with metal wires and fibers. From this, we understand the significance and importance of tires in the world of finance, business, and heavy industry.

Radial Tires:

Michelin also played the most significant role in this type of tire, starting in 1948. These tires introduced a new and unique design previously unknown, combining durability, strength, and flexibility on the road, while simultaneously withstanding air pressure, friction force, and heat with the ground. However, the most crucial advantage added by radial tires was the flexibility in vehicle control and the ability to turn smoothly and fluidly.

It's important to note that the design of radial tires, which relies on a thick, reinforcing belt of flexible fibers tightly encircling the other layers of the tire, was one of the most significant features and additions in the tire manufacturing world, serving as the foundational block for subsequent improvements.

The Firestone Experiment:

In 1977, Firestone experimented with a new tire design, adopting the radial tire's shape and structure but simultaneously removing the thick, reinforcing belt. The goal was to make the tires easier to maneuver and lighter, thereby making driving simpler and movement faster. However, this modification led to dozens of traffic accidents and a catastrophic failure, forcing the company to recall nine million tires from various countries worldwide and lay off 25,000 workers. The company faced the threat of bankruptcy and managed to overcome this ordeal with extreme difficulty.

However, one's misfortune can be another's gain. Many manufacturing companies had been seeking to replace the reinforcing belt with a less expensive, higher-quality alternative, or even eliminate it entirely. Yet, Firestone's experiment and the financial disaster it faced prompted everyone to abandon this idea, recognizing the reinforcing belt as an indispensable necessity.

The Saudi Community and its Role in Tire Development:

Today's automotive standards are completely different from the past. Past standards focused on engine power, chassis durability, and tire suitability for all roads, making tires an independent industry as important as engines. However, the rapid pace of development we see today has made the equation far more complex, with numerous preferences and modifications.

These changes have transformed every part and corner of this mechanical marvel into a unique unit, each requiring a complete industrial facility. Luxury, comfort, and safety have become necessities as important as other standards, thus turning the tire industry into a vast and expansive field.

What's remarkable is that the Saudi community in particular, and Gulf residents in general, presented car manufacturers with challenges that had to be addressed to enter this rich and demanding market. These challenges included:

1. High temperatures affecting air pressure and expansion in tires, as well as the raw materials used in tire manufacturing and shaping.
2. The wide variety of roads, from paved to sandy, each requiring a specific design.
3. The Saudi and Gulf communities' interest in SUVs and "pickup" trucks, which require high-quality tires.
4. Vast distances, leading to faster tire wear, meaning the Saudi community needs highly efficient tires that remain effective for as long as possible.

Add article link: "The Importance of Regular Tire Maintenance and How It Affects Your Fleet's Efficiency

• The final point is that the Saudi and Gulf communities primarily relied on oil as a national income at that time. Oil production requires heavy equipment and machinery for transport, and if international companies could enter this market, they would secure a large and growing source of income.

Therefore, from these five points, the race among tire companies began.

How the Tire Industry Succeeded in the Saudi and Gulf Communities:

What kind of tires would be sent to a community that has chosen the Land Cruiser as its passion!? The relationship between SUVs and the Saudi and Gulf communities is a close one, with Gulf countries ranking first in the SUV market. Consequently, cars exported to Gulf countries featured unique tires suited to their diverse environments. With the intellectual and scientific renaissance witnessed in the region, and Vision 2030 announced by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, these changes imposed a different economic pattern and behavior on Saudi society. It became imperative to transform from a consumer market to a producer market, positioning "Darbk" as a leading company in a market long dominated by the West and East. But what is Darbk? And where will we go from here?

Darbk: Not about competition, but continuous improvement:

Darbk Company chose to tackle the most formidable challenge in the transportation and tire manufacturing industry. It concentrated its focus and efforts on large transport vehicles and trucks because the Saudi community required local solutions – innovations developed by its own people to overcome any obstacle. While European, Asian, and American companies strive to advance their industries and meet the demands of the Saudi market, it remains true that those closest to the situation understand it best.

This necessitated a national factory dedicated to addressing the challenges of the tire industry, allowing for close testing and study. Consequently, an industrial roadmap and a local production model were developed, matching global production in efficiency. Darbk tires were specifically designed for the Saudi and Gulf communities, proving their effectiveness and rivaling international products in quality. This positions Darbk Company as a unique fusion of the rich heritage and quality of Saudi industry with international standards. Darbk's objective has evolved from merely meeting heavy transport needs to becoming an active partner in the global economy, aiming to lead an industry long dominated by Western nations. But how far can we truly go in this global industry?

The future of tires and Darbk Company's role in it:

Today, with the dawn of the new millennium, humanity has surged towards the future at light speed, and developing and improving all aspects of life has become an urgent necessity. For 12,000 years, wheels have been humanity's companion on this journey, yet their basic concept—a fixed circular disc aiding movement—has remained unchanged. Despite all the improvements and developments, the fundamental principle endures, leading humanity to focus on enhancements that elevate the overall quality of the tire's core function.

Today, new types of airless tires, which do not contain a sealed air tube, have been invented. While this type of tire has not yet gained widespread acceptance or popularity, it represents the first step towards eliminating air from tires. This advancement is indeed revolutionary, yet we remain within the realm of traditional tire concepts, confirming that this industry will persist with us at least until 2100.

The dream of manufacturing cars that rely on magnetic energy for propulsion, much like high-speed trains, remains merely an idea; no entity has yet taken a single step towards this goal. Meanwhile, the global tire market, encompassing all types of transportation, has surpassed 115 billion US dollars and has achieved an annual growth exceeding 3% of its total market value since 2018.

Darbk Company has made development and the pursuit of perfection its core objective. It continuously strives to advance its national industry, not merely to compete with other global companies, but to be a partner in shaping the future. Its specialization in large transport vehicles and heavy trucks enables it to produce high-quality tires that stand up to all the challenges of this industry, making them the best and most suitable choice for the Saudi and Gulf communities.

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