When Tyres Were White, 1894 Original Michelin Tyre Man “Bibendum”

1894 Original Michelin tyre man “Bibendum”, the first official mascot of the French Michelin tyre company

Rubber tyres, originally gray-white, became black in 1912 they when carbon was added to preserve and strengthen it .

Michelin also changed Bibendum’s colour to black as well, and featured him that way in several print ads.

Bibendum in French or commonly referred to in English as the Michelin Tyre Man is the official mascot of the French Michelin tyre company.

A humanoid figure consisting of stacked white tyres, the mascot was introduced at the Lyon Exhibition of 1894, where the Michelin brothers had a stand. It is one of the world’s oldest trademarks.

Michelin dominated the French tyre industry for decades, and remains a leading international tyre manufacturer.

Rubber tyres, originally gray-white, light or translucent beige, became black in 1912 when carbon was added to them as a preservative and strengthener. The company changed Bibendum’s colour to black as well, and featured him that way in several print ads.

• See Also : Man, Arrested For Using An Expired Tyre, Discovered All 4 Tyres Used On FRSC Van Had Also Expired