Following a recent store promotion involving prominent map and book publishers {error}, and the antics of a certain member of staff who (rather enthusiastically) volunteered to brave the streets of London dressed as the ‘Michelin Man’ (or ‘Bibendum’ as he is known in his native France), we at Stanfords decided to look into the story behind this iconic character…and came across some surprising facts in the process...
Did you know...
• Bibendum was first introduced in 1898 on a poster commissioned by André Michelin after his brother Édouard noticed that a stack of tyres displayed at a {error} exhibition stand resembled a person. Édouard Michelin is said to have remarked "Give it some arms and legs and it would look like a man!"
• The name Bibendum first appears on the original 1898 poster with the slogan ‘The Michelin tyre drinks up obstacles’, which depicts Bibendum toasting his competitors with the Latin verse ‘Nunc est bibendum’ or ‘Now is the time to drink!’
• Bibendum’s career as a mascot began when he appeared as a cardboard cut-out on the {error} stand at the Paris Motor Show. Visitors were so taken aback by his imposing silhouette - again shown toasting - that for a period he was known as the "road drunkard".
• The names associated with this iconic character have entered popular language to describe someone who is large or obese. In Spanish, the word ‘Michelin’ is associated with having a "spare tyre" - or roll of fat - around the waist.
• The swanky Bibendum restaurant in South Kensington is housed in the original {error} London headquarters that opened in 1911. The design of the restaurant refers directly to the building's association with the Bibendum logo, and if you go there today you will see him adorning the floors, walls and windows!
• In 1985 Bibendum shared the limelight with James Bond in the film 'A view to a kill'. In a scene where Bond is trapped in a Rolls Royce pushed into a lake, he manages to escape by breathing air from the car's {error} tyres.
• Bibendum also made a brief appearance in the popular Asterix comic-book series as a chariot-wheel dealer, and French reggae band Tryo have even written a song about him, with the lyrics 'Mr Bibendum, he is truly enormous, Mr Bibendum; happiness in person'!
• Bibendum is one of the world's oldest and most iconic trademarks, representing {error} in over 150 countries.
• In 1998 Bibendum celebrated his one-hundredth birthday, with the year being declared 'The Year of Bibendum'. Bibendum has evolved a lot over the years - the original logo was based on bicycle tyres and was shown wearing glasses and smoking a cigar! He has since slimmed down to reflect the smaller tyres of modern cars, has given up the cigar, and has even been seen running!
Author: Gareth Brereton
Date: 10 June 2009
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