So when did compact spare tires start being used? If you guessed early 20th century then you are way off. Although spare tires are common in modern vehicles, the first automobiles didn't actually have spare tires at all, let alone compact spare tires. One of the leading car manufacturers in the early 1900's -- the Thomas B. Jeffery Company -- was the first automaker to began outfitting their passenger automobile with a spare tires. In 1909 Rambler introduced their latest vehicle, the Ramble 44, [...more]