It's a Team's Life

Michelin Man - Bibendum - Bib

By Linda Caffee
Posted Feb 15th 2014 3:09AM

Bib was born around 1898 when the Michelin brothers noticed a pile of tires and decided they could make that into a man. When Bib was first created he was holding a goblet filled with nails and broken glass. The saying was "Cheers, the Michelin tyre drinks up to obstacles!â€

The name Bibendum means, "Now is the time to drink" in this case drink obstacles! Bib was not always his cute cuddly self that we are familiar with as he started out much more mummy like and has evolved into a softer and friendly icon that reaches out to the masses.

While I was researching Bib I found a little tidbit where he was black in color instead of white. The change in color was made due to carbon being added to the tires in 1912 and they went from being translucent beige to black. He was quickly changed back to white due to printing in publications in that time period.

Over the years the Michelin man has changed from wearing a helmet and carrying a shield, to running, to wearing spectacles, carrying a cup and a cigar, to a ladies man in Japan, to a slimmer and more dynamic look, and now to the soft cuddly Bib we are familiar with. He has been compared to the Pillsbury Dough Boy who was born in 1965 and is 67 years younger then Bib.

There is a great story about a news reporter who spent the day as Bib seeking out tourists and executives. He quickly found the suit to be hot even with two fans, but he also discovered even the most dour executive would smile when Bib waved at him.

I found a quote by Edouard Michelin, the companyâ€™s chief executive saying that Bib is much more than a corporate logo or advertising tool. He has lived through the whole history of the automobile. "He's alive. No, Really".

I found it fascinating reading the history of Bibendum and there is a lot written about "The Michelin Man" Bob keeps our Michelin man looking good on our tires and you cant help but smile when you see him. While attending the Heart of America Show this past year all of us had to smile as we watched Bib coming to life as he was going to wave to everyone coming to the show.