Image Source: Michelin
Put your pants on, stand up to your full height and face me, imaginary reader. Yes, I see you now. What you’re really thinking. Mmmm yes, it’s all so clear. You have a question to ask me. Well go on, I’m all ears!
“Um… Why is the Michelin man white?” You ponder. “You know, seeing that his whole body consists only of tires?”
Image Source: Fleet Focus
Wow. Not for the first time imaginary reader, you have truly impressed me with your naturally inquisitive imposition and insaciable thirst for knowledge. And an excellent question it is indeed! Why is a man – who’s body is exclusively made up of tires… white? Why not the black colour you would expect of tires? Well I believe somwhere on this website I promised to deliver you short, juicy pieces of information to chomp down on, so I shall be a man of my word and keep this tight.
The answer is rather simple. Tires were actually white, when Bibendum (yes, that’s his actual name), was first created in 1898. Tires didn’t take on their new colour until 1912, when carbon was added to the rubber formula as a strengthener and a preservative.
Bibendum has also seen many a change since his first creation. These days the Bibendum we know and love (or probably in most cases, are completely impartial towards), is downright soft and cuddly. But not back in his early days, where 36 tires amalgamated to form a towering beast, and his glowing hot cigar was part of his copy-write. So as with all things, our boy Bibdendum has indeed changed with the times, neither for good or bad in a humble man’s opinion, just different.
Image Source: Michelin