Before the new winter season, the winter tire can celebrate its 90th anniversary. The first of its kind was developed for trucks in 1934.
It was Nokian Tires who, way back in 1934, were the first in the world with a decidedly winter tyre. It is now 90 years ago and a reason to celebrate.
Two years later, the design of the world's first winter tire was refined so that it could also be mounted and used on passenger cars. The tire was named Lumi-Hakkapeliitta.
The secret back then was something as primitive as suction cups, which were supposed to provide the best possible grip on the smoother roads. After this, development went fast, but it was actually only in the 1960s that the first studded tire became a reality.
– Different road conditions require different types of winter tires because winter conditions vary greatly depending on the area and climate.
– In Central Europe, the winter is more rainy, while the roads in Scandinavia are covered with snow or ice, says Marko Saari, Product Manager Nokian Tyres, in a press release .
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Today's winter tires consist of a rubber mixture with over 100 different raw materials. This is approximately three times more than the winter tires that were developed 90 years ago.
– In the course of these 90 years, weather conditions have changed, new materials have been invented and product development has taken great steps towards creating more and more durable tyres, adds Teemu Soini, Innovation & Development, Nokian Tyres.
However, it is not only the time that has passed since the first winter tire hit the market. The cars have also changed significantly. Most striking is the weight, which has been increased many times.
– For example, tires for electric cars must handle heavier loads due to the extra weight of the battery and react immediately to the high torque force.
– Our starting point is that all our products must make the road safe, regardless of which car you drive. Testing has remained crucial to ensure the tire's performance to meet the needs of modern drivers, says Marko Saari.
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