Michelin Tires: A History of Innovation and Speed

For more than a century, Michelin has been one of the most innovative companies in the tire business. It was founded by Andre and Edouard Michelin who operated a rubber factory located in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Their first encounter with a pneumatic tire was with a bicycle tire that was brought to them for repair. Although it took a lot of effort to put the tire back together again, Edouard became interested enough to decide to create their own version of the pneumatic tire, one that can be easily attached and removed from the rim.

In 1888, Michelin was incorporated. Three years later, their removable pneumatic tire became the company's first patent. Throughout the years, Michelin Tires continued its steady climb as one of the world's most reliable tire and rubber manufacturers. They also designed the famous radial tire (also called the 'X' tire) in 1946, one of their many innovations.

Michelin's first foray into racing was their participation in the 1977 Formula One race. This was the time they introduced their radial tires. They capped the race by winning the Drivers Championship. Although they withdrew from Formula One racing in 1994, they returned in 2001. This was the year they supplied tires for Jaguar, Williams, Prost, Minardi and Benetton (now Renault).

In 1988, Michelin bought the tire and rubber manufacturing division of BF Goodrich Co. Within a span of only a few years, they also acquired Uniroyal Inc., formerly the United States Rubber Co.

Today, Michelin is the second largest manufacturer of tires in the world after Japan's Bridgestone. It once held the top position in 2005. Other than tires, it has also expanded its business. It is the publisher of the Red and Green Guides, a series of guidebooks for hotels, restaurants and tourism in general. It also publishes road maps of France, Africa, Thailand, the U.S. and many European countries.

Facts about Michelin Tires: The full name of the company is Compagnie Generale des Etablissements Michelin, although the subsidiary that manufactures tires is called the Manufacture Francaise des Pneumatiques Michelin. In spite of its reputation as a leading tire manufacturer, Michelin is also involved in travel guides and even cooking. The famous Michelin Star Award given to restaurants for their cuisine is related to the company.

Their logo is called the Michelin Man, although his name is really Bibendum. He was drawn by O'Galop, a French artist. Bib is one of the oldest trademarks in the world and easily one of its most recognizable. He was created after Edouard Michelin remarked that when tires were stacked, they resembled a man.

Bib once wore glasses, was a smoker and was a lot heavier. After losing the glasses and quitting smoking, he has also slimmed down.

Michelin Tires once owned Citroen (1934-1976), the automobile manufacturer.

Michelin supplied maps to the Allied forces during World War II, which aided them significantly for the Normandy invasion.

Until recently, Michelin was one of the suppliers of original equipment to General Motors. They are still original equipment suppliers to the Mark II car series of Volvo.

From 1999 until his death from a drowning incident in 2006, Edouard Michelin headed the Michelin Group and became the last member of the Michelin family to do so. He was replaced by a non-member, Michel Rollier.

Other than tires, Michelin also has a subsidiary providing online digital mapping services, a company that began in 2001. The satellite navigation service may be accessed through the internet and mobile phones and offers coverage of USA, Europe, Australia, South America and Asia.

Michelin tires still holds headquarters at Clermont-Ferrand in the South of France.