Innovation does not happen in isolation; it is a battleground where ideas clash, rivalries ignite, and intellectual property rights define the future. Behind the technologies we rely on every day lie stories of groundbreaking inventions entangled in fierce patent disputes. Patent laws have driven progress—and sometimes stalled it.
Welcome to Patent Feuds: The Untold Battles That Shaped Innovation. In this series, we uncover the inventor rivalries that transformed industries, the patented technologies that triggered legal wars, and the lasting impact of intellectual property disputes on the world. Get ready to explore the drama, the ambition, and the ideas that shaped modern history.
The Need for a Softer Ride: The Birth of the Pneumatic Tyre
“The wheel was already invented, but what about filling it with air?”
In the late 1800s, the world was buzzing with industrial innovation. Electricity, steam power, and natural rubber were reshaping daily life. Amid this transformation came the bicycle boom—and with it, a race to create a better, smoother ride.
A Scottish veterinarian named John Boyd Dunlop thought he had found the answer: an air-filled rubber tyre, later known as the pneumatic tyre.
But what Dunlop did not know was that nearly half a century earlier, another Scotsman, Robert William Thomson, had already invented and patented the very same idea—then faded from memory. What followed was a classic tale of overlapping patents, forgotten innovations, and a legal battle over who truly put the bounce into the bicycle.
We do not claim any copyright in the above image. The same has been reproduced for academic and representational purposes only.
Early Bicycles and the Rise of Pneumatic Tyres
Before the 1890s, most bicycle tyres were made of solid rubber or even metal. The result? Every bump in the road felt like a hammer to the spine. Roads were unpaved, cobbled, and rough—making riding more pain than pleasure.
Enter John Boyd Dunlop, a veterinary surgeon from Belfast. In 1887, his young son was struggling to ride his tricycle on solid rubber tyres. Dunlop, always curious, experimented with wrapping the wheels in thin rubber tubing inflated with air. The result was transformational: a quiet, shock-absorbing ride that glided over rough terrain like never before.
We do not claim any copyright in the above image. The same has been reproduced for academic and representational purposes only.
Dunlop’s Patent and Rapid Commercial Success
Dunlop patented his version of the pneumatic bicycle tyre in Great Britain in 1890 (British Patent No. 10607), with a corresponding U.S. patent granted the same year (U.S. Patent No. 435,995), titled “Heel-Tire for Cycles.”
Once Dunlop’s inflatable tyre hit the road, the change was undeniable. Cyclists using his tyre won races, gained attention from bicycle manufacturers, and attracted eager investors.
In 1889, Dunlop partnered with Irish industrialist Harvey du Cros, forming The Pneumatic Tyre and Booth’s Cycle Agency Ltd. This company later became the Dunlop Rubber Company, a dominant force in the global tyre manufacturing industry.
Enter Robert William Thomson: The Forgotten Inventor
But who was Robert William Thomson? Unknown to Dunlop, an earlier patent for the pneumatic tyre already existed—filed in 1845 by this fellow Scotsman.
Thomson patented the first air-filled carriage tyre, called the “Aerial Wheel”, in Great Britain (Patent No. 10990) and later received a U.S. patent (No. 5104) in 1847—predating Dunlop’s invention by over 40 years.
We do not claim any copyright in the above image. The same has been reproduced for academic and representational purposes only.
So why was Thomson’s invention forgotten?
The answer lies in timing. In the 1840s, rubber technology was still primitive. Vulcanization, the process of stabilizing rubber, had just been discovered. Roads were in poor condition, and bicycles had not yet become widespread. The idea faded, and Thomson moved on to other inventions—including the fountain pen.
Welch vs. Monopoly: The Legal Battle Begins
While Thomson’s patent had expired by the time Dunlop filed his version, it still served as prior art—a powerful legal tool used to challenge novelty claims in patent law.
In 1890, Charles K. Welch, another inventor, patented a detachable pneumatic tyre—a practical improvement. Recognizing Welch as a competitive threat, Dunlop’s company swiftly acquired the rights to Welch’s patent.
However, Welch’s legal team, led by patent agent William Edlin, discovered Thomson’s 1845 patent in archives. Using this as prior art, they challenged Dunlop’s 1888 patent, arguing it lacked originality.
By 1891, the courts agreed: Dunlop’s patent was invalidated, opening the pneumatic tyre market to competitors and sparking further patent litigation in the industry.
The Human Side of Innovation
It’s important to note that John Boyd Dunlop never intended to steal anyone’s idea. At the time of his patent filing, he truly believed he had made a novel invention. He was shocked to learn of Thomson’s prior work.
While Dunlop targeted bicycles, Thomson focused on carriages, but legally the underlying concept—using compressed air in a rubber casing for shock absorption—was the same.
Despite losing the patent, Dunlop remained in public memory as the pioneer who popularized the pneumatic tyre. Thomson was eventually acknowledged by historians and scholars, but never saw the success he deserved during his lifetime.
The Legacy of the Pneumatic Tyre Feud
Although Dunlop’s patent was invalidated, his business had already gained traction. The Dunlop brand flourished, and he retired in 1895, passing away in 1921.
Meanwhile, Robert Thomson’s 1845 patent is today considered the first true pneumatic tyre patent. Many scholars view him as a visionary, simply “too far ahead of his time.”
Lessons for Modern Inventors and Startups
This historic feud teaches valuable lessons for today’s inventors, startups, and tech entrepreneurs:
- Conduct thorough prior art searches—your idea may already exist in some form.
- Timing is everything—even the best ideas can fail if the market isn’t ready.
- Patent protection alone won’t guarantee success—business strategy and licensing matter.
- Acknowledge earlier contributions—intellectual honesty helps build trust in the innovation ecosystem.
Conclusion: The Wheel Keeps Turning
The Dunlop vs. Thomson feud reminds us that invention is rarely linear. It’s a winding path of rediscovery, rivalry, and reinvention. The air-filled tyre, one of the simplest yet most impactful technologies, was invented twice—once forgotten, once celebrated.
So next time you enjoy a smooth ride, remember: it’s not just rubber and air under your wheels—it’s the legacy of two brilliant Scottish inventors: one ahead of his time, the other arriving at just the right moment.