Inflatable Tires and Veterinary Medicine
Ten years after receiving his degree in 1859, a Scottish veterinary surgeon established a successful practice in Belfast. However, he found rough Irish roads unnerving when traveling on wheels made from metal and wood.
After many attempts to develop a more suitable ride, the veterinarian nearly gave up. Then came a solution in the form of a rubber tube encased in a solid disc, inflated with a football pump. By 1890, he joined forces with a firm in England to produce inflatable rubber tires. Within 10 years, nearly all vehicles had pneumatic tires as standard equipment.
But, that’s not where the story ends. After filing his patent, he learned a similar patent had been filed for a carriage tire called the Thomson tire. The tire was never developed due to the cost of production and declining demand for horse-drawn carriages. Nonetheless, market conditions were peaking, road transportation was expanding, and automobiles were on the horizon.
However, his interest in pneumatic tires had decline and he sold his patents without receiving much financial gain except for trademarks for his invention.
Dr. John Dunlop (1840 – 1921) is credited with inventing and manufacturing the first pneumatic rubber tire for modern transportation. The Dunlop Tire and Rubber Company bears his name and is still in operation today.
A Dog Saves the Day
A 1902 issue of the Star reported a Newfoundland dog fought off a burglar and prevented a robbery in the home of J.S. Hynes in Kansas City, KS. Before Mr. Hynes left the home to attend a social meeting, he left Sport on watch in the front hall. About midnight, Mrs. Hynes heard the front door open followed by Sport attacking the intruder. Five minutes passed, filled with numerous calls for help, before the burglar crashed through the front door glass followed by Sport in close pursuit.
When Mr. Hynes returned he found disorder in the front hall. His family, including Sport, were hiding in an upstairs bedroom trembling in fear. The article ended by reporting, “There is one dog in KCK which no amount of money can buy….”
She Wasn’t a Horse – She Was a Marine!
Her fellow Marines called her “Sergeant Reckless” for good reason. She joined the service in 1952 to carry ammunition for a 75mm Recoilless Rifle.
During one battle she made 51 trips and carried five tons of ammunition over 35 miles, all in a single day! She walked through rice paddies and up steep mountains in the face of enemy fire. Although wounded twice, she didn’t stop, and she didn’t slow down. For her remarkable achievements she was promoted to sergeant and proudly wore numerous citations. It was said there had never been another horse like Reckless.
