Tuesday 23rd August 1904

Harold D. Weed of New York State received U.S. Patent Number 768495 for his “Grip-Tread for Pneumatic Tires”. Weed’s great-grandson, James Weed, said that Harry got the idea of creating chains for tyres when he saw drivers wrap rope, or even vines, around their tyres to increase traction on muddy or snowy roads, which was the norm at the turn of the 20th century. He sought to make a traction device that was more durable and would work with snow as well as mud.