Argy58
Michelin: Bibendum | Early 1900s - 1960s
The iconic, affectionate and loyal Bibendum trademark is quite unique as he's well over one hundred years old (debuted at the Lyon Exhibition, France in 1894). The French cartoonist Marius Rossillon, popularly known as O'Gallop, was responsible for the initial representation of Bibendum.
Still used as the 'image' of Michelin tyres, Bibendum has undergone a bit of surgery over the years; when he was first penned in the 19th Century, he was made up of bicycle tyres.
The invention and expansion of the motor car resulted in Bibendum morphing his shape into car tyres. The badges within this photograph illustrate this as the top left badge (c1910) shows Bibendum made up of narrow gauge tyres and the bottom two badges (c1960s) show Bibendum with 'fatter' motor car tyres. Today, Bibendum looks even fitter; changes in tyre technology such as low profiles have been factored into his visual appearance.
Top left: c1910
The copy on this badge reads:
'LE PNEU MICHELIN BOIT L'OBSTACLE: Michelin tyre drinks up obstacles
NUNC EST BIBENDUM: Now is (the time) for drinking
The badge is derived from the famous O'Galop poster of 1898 showing Bibendum raising a glass of road hazards to his inferior competitors.
Top right: c1905
This badge commemorates the 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup (motor racing trophy) held in the Auvergne, near Clermont-Ferrand - the headquarters of Michelin Tyres. The badge depicts Bibendum wearing a Michelin victory sash and raising a golden cup in celebration of victory. The race was won by Frenchman Leon Thery in a 96hp Richard-Brasier car, that ran on Michelin tyres. Victory was even sweeter for Michelin as the first four places were all achieved on their tyres. The Gordon Bennett Cup for motor racing was contested on six occasions between 1900 and 1905.
The Gordon Bennett Cup was established by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., millionaire owner of the New York Herald and the first racing award was claimed in France in 1900. In 1899 Gordon Bennett offered the Automobile Club de France (ACF) a trophy to be raced for annually by the automobile clubs of various countries. The trophy was awarded annually until 1905, after which the ACF held the first Grand Prix motor racing event at the Circuit de la Sarthe, in Le Mans.
Bottom left and right: c1960s
Promotional Michelin badges from the Netherlands showing Bibendum in active 'running mode'.
One of the endearing features of Bibendum is his versatility and adaptability......whether it's riding a bicycle, racing a motorbike, driving a car, inflating a tyre or jovially rolling a tyre down a road.
Photography, layout and design: Argy58
(This image also exists as a high resolution jpeg and tiff - ideal for a variety of print sizes
e.g. A4, A3, A2 and A1. The current uploaded format is for screen based viewing only: 72pi)
Michelin: Bibendum | Early 1900s - 1960s
The iconic, affectionate and loyal Bibendum trademark is quite unique as he's well over one hundred years old (debuted at the Lyon Exhibition, France in 1894). The French cartoonist Marius Rossillon, popularly known as O'Gallop, was responsible for the initial representation of Bibendum.
Still used as the 'image' of Michelin tyres, Bibendum has undergone a bit of surgery over the years; when he was first penned in the 19th Century, he was made up of bicycle tyres.
The invention and expansion of the motor car resulted in Bibendum morphing his shape into car tyres. The badges within this photograph illustrate this as the top left badge (c1910) shows Bibendum made up of narrow gauge tyres and the bottom two badges (c1960s) show Bibendum with 'fatter' motor car tyres. Today, Bibendum looks even fitter; changes in tyre technology such as low profiles have been factored into his visual appearance.
Top left: c1910
The copy on this badge reads:
'LE PNEU MICHELIN BOIT L'OBSTACLE: Michelin tyre drinks up obstacles
NUNC EST BIBENDUM: Now is (the time) for drinking
The badge is derived from the famous O'Galop poster of 1898 showing Bibendum raising a glass of road hazards to his inferior competitors.
Top right: c1905
This badge commemorates the 1905 Gordon Bennett Cup (motor racing trophy) held in the Auvergne, near Clermont-Ferrand - the headquarters of Michelin Tyres. The badge depicts Bibendum wearing a Michelin victory sash and raising a golden cup in celebration of victory. The race was won by Frenchman Leon Thery in a 96hp Richard-Brasier car, that ran on Michelin tyres. Victory was even sweeter for Michelin as the first four places were all achieved on their tyres. The Gordon Bennett Cup for motor racing was contested on six occasions between 1900 and 1905.
The Gordon Bennett Cup was established by James Gordon Bennett, Jr., millionaire owner of the New York Herald and the first racing award was claimed in France in 1900. In 1899 Gordon Bennett offered the Automobile Club de France (ACF) a trophy to be raced for annually by the automobile clubs of various countries. The trophy was awarded annually until 1905, after which the ACF held the first Grand Prix motor racing event at the Circuit de la Sarthe, in Le Mans.
Bottom left and right: c1960s
Promotional Michelin badges from the Netherlands showing Bibendum in active 'running mode'.
One of the endearing features of Bibendum is his versatility and adaptability......whether it's riding a bicycle, racing a motorbike, driving a car, inflating a tyre or jovially rolling a tyre down a road.
Photography, layout and design: Argy58
(This image also exists as a high resolution jpeg and tiff - ideal for a variety of print sizes
e.g. A4, A3, A2 and A1. The current uploaded format is for screen based viewing only: 72pi)