#michelin tyre man

[squideo]

Advert Alchemy: The Representative

In this series, Squideo is breaking down the eight key ingredients to turn your advertising content into gold! In the last edition of Advert Alchemy, we explored some famous jingles which proved the effectiveness of an earworm. This week, we’re looking at the importance of the representative. 

Adverts often star characters, actors or the company’s owner and this representative can make all the difference in public perception of a brand. 

Character Cameos

Love them or hate them, the right reoccurring character can make an advert and become synonymous with a brand. Read on for Squideo’s top five picks for iconic fictional characters who starred in adverts. How many do you recognise?

01. Bird’s Eye

Captain Birdseye, also called Captain Iglo in mainland Europe, has been a feature onscreen since 1967. Barring a brief death of the Bird’s Eye character in 1971, which was marked with an obituary in The Times, Captain Birdseye has been their mascot for over fifty years. Initially played by actor John Hewer, the Captain has also become illustrated with a prominent place on the packaging of Bird’s Eye goods. In 2018 a new actor, Riccardo Acerbi, took over the role proving Captain Birdseye is here to stay. 

02. Duracell

The longstanding mascot for this company, the Duracell Bunny, was introduced in 1974. Besides a brief period when it was replaced by The Puttermans, a fictional family who received mixed reviews from audiences, Duracell Bunny has remained this brand’s mascot ever since. So successful was the introduction of the Duracell Bunny that Duracell’s competitor – Energizer –introduced the Energizer Bunny as a rival causing a legal dispute between both companies. 

03. Go Compare

This character might fall under the “hate them” category, but it’s impossible to deny the effectiveness of Go Compare’s Gio Compario. The adverts have been running since 2009, with Welsh singer and actor Wynne Evans playing the character. The pervasiveness of this character became so divisive that an advert series was run by Go Compare in 2012 which featured various celebrities trying to assassinate Gio. Introducing this character certainly made the brand memorable, making Gio as effective as he is annoying. 

04. Michelin

Bibendum, known as the Michelin Tyre Man in the English-speaking world, might be older than you think. First created for this French company in 1894, this character has become an icon the world over and remains one of the oldest trademarks still in use. The character has changed over the years to reflect the times, but every version remains identifiable as the Michelin Tyre Man. Its popularity has been referenced in books, film, television and songs. The character even starred in a 2009 animated short film, Logorama. 

05. Rice Krispies

While not as old as Bibendum, Rice Krispies’ Snap, Crackle and Pop are no spring chickens. First appearing in 1933, these characters evolved from cartoonish gnomes to friendly elves over the years. Their names were derived from a radio advert – a real indication of their age – which describes the sound made from adding milk to this cereal. The names later became a jingle which, like the characters, is still used in the Rice Krispies adverts. 

Who Are You Wearing?

These characters have carved out a legacy in advert history, but not all advertisers use fictional characters. Others prefer the classic celebrity endorsement – plastering the face of the world’s most famous people all over their product. This approach has its advantages and disadvantages, which come with the popularity of said celebrity. 

Read on for Squideo’s top five picks for notable celebrity endorsements. 

01. Dior

Natalie Portman was made a brand ambassador for Dior in 2010. As an ambassador, that means Portman not only appears in television adverts, but also wears Dior products at public events and attends Dior shows. Portman’s advertisements for the Dior fragrance Miss Dior have been particularly popular, combining well-known music, engaging storytelling and creative cinematography. 

02. EE

From 2012, the UK’s EE mobile network has been fronted by American actor Kevin Bacon. Capitalising on the popular game Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon and the actor’s prolific career, as well as a recent financial disaster which left the actor strapped for cash, Bacon has been the face of this brand almost as long as its existence – EE was founded in 2010. It’s certainly come a long way over the past decade, now ranked as the best rated 5G network in Britain, and these adverts certainly contributed to the growth of this brand over such a short period of time. 

03. Nespresso

George Clooney hardly needed more exposure when he started appearing in Nespresso’s adverts in 2006, but his addition gave a huge boon to the brand. After becoming closely associated with Nespresso, Clooney started taking a deeper interest in their practices – including independently travelling to its coffee farms to test its claims of sustainability. The adverts utilise public perception of Clooney, portraying him as suave and a bit smug, always maintaining his tongue-in-cheek humour. 

04. Nike

In 1984, Michael Jordan signed up with Nike for sponsorship – but unlike other sportsmen of the time he wasn’t going to be constrained to modelling their products, he wanted to create his own. Every year a new Air Jordans design is released, with vintage sneakers selling for thousands of dollars on the second-hand market. By limiting stock the demand is always higher for new and vintage Air Jordans than production numbers, which keeps this product at the forefront even after Jordan’s retirement. 

05. Renault

It’s a testament, not only to the star power of Thierry Henry, but to the marketing team at Renault that this advert was able to change the English language. In 2004, the Oxford English Dictionary weighed in on the definition of Henry’s iconic line in the advert – “va-va-voom” – defining it as “the quality of being exciting, vigorous or sexually attractive." The definition was included in the dictionary they published that same year. If the Oxford English Dictionary needed to contribute, it proves that Renault’s advert certainly got people talking: about Henry, va-va-voom, and the Renault Clio. 

Face to the Name

The last type of representative to address is the boss. The big boss. 

Adverts featuring the founder or owner of a business have steadily become more common as the popularity of the celebrity brands grows. Anyone who is anyone seems to have their own business nowadays, and they capitalise on their existing fame to sell their products. 

Read on for Squideo’s top five picks for notable owner appearances in adverts. 

01. Aviation American Gin

Hollywood actor Ryan Reynolds has done his fair share of advertising work, but when he bought a stake in Aviation American Gin in 2018 the bar was raised. While Reynolds doesn’t always star in these adverts (their 2019 parody of a critically panned Peloton advert, for example, went viral), he has successfully become the face of the brand despite having no hand in its initial creation. Reynold’s marketable style of comedy lends itself well to creating these entertaining adverts, and sales of the spirit have risen steadily since he came aboard. 

02. KFC

Although it’s been a long time since Harlan Sanders owned Kentucky Fried Chicken – better known as KFC – his face is still synonymous with the brand. Colonel Sanders (an honorary title, not military) created the famous KFC recipe in the 1940s and stayed at the helm of the company until he sold it in 1964. His involvement didn’t end there however, and until his death in 1980 he remained a spokesman for the company – eventually becoming its iconic mascot in modern advertising. 

03. Newman’s Own

Actor Paul Newman created the brand Newman’s Own in 1982. This non-profit food company started with a salad dressing, eventually evolving into a range of food and drink products sold in stores internationally. Newman helmed the brand and its accompanying charity Newman’s Own Foundation until his death in 2008. Despite his passing, Newman’s image is still used on all the packaging and marketing which contributes to the actor’s lasting legacy as a passionate philanthropist. 

04. Virgin

Since its creation in the 1970s, Sir Richard Branson has frequently cameoed in advertisements for Virgin and its subsidiaries – making the British billionaire a recognisable figure in households around the country. While rarely starring in the adverts, he’s adopted a Stan Lee-style of briefly appearing in videos promoting his companies. In the video below, Branson makes a fleeting appearance firing the starting shot that propels Usain Bolt to victory. By making these cameos, Branson assures the memorability of his link to the brands without sacrificing too much of his time. 

05. Warburtons

This family business has been around since 1876, and a Warburton is still at the helm. Warburtons has launched a series of successful adverts in the last 10 years, featuring prominent celebrities from The Muppets to Robert de Niro. Alongside them stars Jonathan Warburton, the current chairman of the company. Often filming with professional actors, the adverts routinely poke fun at his lack of acting expertise – staying seated behind a desk while the action plays out around him. 

Content Worth Gold

Get in touch with the Squideo team today to find out how we can improve your advertising strategy with video production, motion graphics, social media management and much more! 

[vintagepromotions]

'The best and the cheapest bicycle tyres - Michelin'

Poster advertising Michelin bicycle tyres, featuring the company's mascot Bibendum riding a bicycle while smoking a cigar and throwing tyres at the viewer (c. 1910). Artwork by H.L. Roowy.

[whowouldwininafite]

[houseofcatwic]

"Extremely rare. Early composition. Beautiful detail. Some minor restoration to a few areas. Michelin Tires Michelin Man Display. Size 31 - 1/2" Tall" from Pinterest

[bastionofbibliophiles]

The Michelin Guides started in 1900 (124 years ago!) as a way to encourage people to drive places.

In 1900, there were fewer than 3,000 cars on the roads of France. To increase the demand for cars (more specifically, car tires), the car-tire-manufacturing brothers Édouard and André Michelin published a free guide for French motorists. It provided maps and information on car mechanics, hotels, and petrol stations throughout France. Over the next two decades they began offering guides to other European countries, publishing updated versions of old guides, and in 1922 started charging money for them instead of giving them away for free.

As the restaurant sections of the guides were the most popular, the Michelin company began hiring inspectors to review restaurants, and the first Michelin Stars were introduced in 1926. Originally there was only a single star, highlighting the best restaurant in each category. In 1931, the hierarchy of zero, one, two, and three stars was introduced:

Zero stars: 'Good enough to be included in the guide'

One star (🞷): "A very good restaurant in its category"

Two stars (🞷🞷): "Excellent cooking, worth a detour"

Three stars (🞷🞷🞷): "Exceptional cuisine, worth a special journey"

More fun facts: the Michelin Man, introduced in 1894, is one of the oldest trademarks still in active use. Made of stacked tires, he's white because, at the time of his creation, tires were all white! But white, pure-rubber tires show dirt and grime very clearly, and also are vulnerable to UV damage from sunlight while not being very durable. To fix these problems, a mix of other ingredients are now added to the rubber — including carbon black, which gives modern tires their familiar dark color.

The Michelin Man's official name is Bibendum, nicknamed Bib or Bibelobis.

[aaron04jpg]

Elms guide for Logan Sargeant fans

Starting with what is the European Le Mans Series (ELMS):

It’s a European series of endurance races reserved for cars such as "Le Mans Prototypes" and "Le Mans Grand Touring". The ELMS presents three different categories: LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am, LMP3 and LMGT3.

CATEGORIES

* There are 4 categories

* All 4 categories run at the same time on track

* The cars that are performing in those classes are all different in terms of weight, size, engine

Lmp2- Race Number Background Color: BLUE (what Logan is driving !!)

* The category below the top LMH class of the FIA World Endurance Championship (WEC) "Le Mans Prototype 2" (LMP2) is a key part of the “Endurance" family

* Each driver line up must have at least 1 silver or bronze driver, two platinum drivers can not be entered in the same line up

* it allows teams and drivers to progress to the highest level gradually.

* 1st and 2nd LMP2 competitors will be invited to the 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Lmp2 pro/am- Race Number Background Color: CYAN

* In 2021, the LMP2 grid included a separate trophy and title for competitors whose cars included a bronze driver in their line-up. This was known as LMP2 Pro/Am.

* In a change for the 2023 season, the LMP2 Pro/Am category will be run as a separate class

* a lineup of 2 or 3 drivers must include at least 1 bronze driver

* The cars will be the same as run in the LMP2 category.

* 1st LMP2 Pro/Am competitor will be invited to 2024 24 Hours of Le Mans.

LMP3- Race Number Background Color: PURPLE

* LMP3 was designed as a training ground for endurance racing, an arena in which drivers, team members, engineers, and mechanics can hone their skills and prepare for the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship.

* lineup must include 1 silver and 1 bronze or 2 bronze

* from what I understand, it is a feeder series similar to f2/f3

Lmgt3- Race Number Background Color: ORANGE

* Le Mans Grand Touring Car, is a set of regulations maintained by the ACO and the FIA for Grand Tourer race cars designed for use in the ACO/FIA motor racing series. *LMGT3 cars are based on production road car models that are built and sold at the time of homologation.

* Cars eligible for the LMGT3 class must be built by a partner manufacturer recognized by the ACO/FIA

* a lineup of 2 or 3 drivers must have 1 silver and 1 bronze or 2 bronze and no more than 1 gold or platinum driver

TYRES

* LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am, and LMGT3 competitors run with Goodyear tyres. LMP3 competitors run with Michelin tyres.

* LMP2, LMP2 Pro/Am, and LMP3 competitors have one dry and one wet tyre specifications. There are two dry and one wet tyre specifications for the LMGT3 category.

* Unlike Formula 1, any equipment for warming the tyres or keeping them to temperature is forbidden.

RACE WEEKENDS

WEEKEND SETUP

* Free Practice: two Free Practice sessions of 90 minutes.

* Bronze Test: one session of 30 minutes exclusively for FIA-ranked Bronze drivers.

* Qualifying: one qualifying session of 15 minutes per category, which defines the grid order.

* In LMP2 Pro/Am and LMGT3, only Bronze drivers can qualify for the car, whereas in LMP2 and LMP3, it's up to the competitor.

* Race – which lasts 4 hours.

RACES

* Each driver must drive at least 40 minutes during the race. (One stint)

* The winner is the car that covered the greatest distance in their category.

RACE NEUTRALISATION

* If the race needs to be neutralized or stopped for safety reasons, multiple procedures can be decided by the Race Director:

FULL COURSE YELLOW

* Intended for short neutralisations, mainly for interventions lasting equal to or less than one lap.

* Cars must slow down to 80kph.

* The pit lane entry is closed when there is a Full Course Yellow (FCY)

* No overtaking

VIRTUAL SAFETY CAR

* Intended to secure interventions and used for an approximate duration of two laps before deployment of the Safety Car (SC).

* Cars must slow down to 80kph.

* Access to the pit lane will remain open for the duration of the VSC.

* No overtaking

SAFETY CAR

* Intended for long neutralizations.

* All cars must follow the Safety Car and adapt their speed.

* The pit lane entry is closed for three laps when a Safety Car (SC) is announced.

* Overtaking is permitted under defined circumstances.

RED FLAG

* All the cars must head back to the pitlane or stop on track according to the conditions.

PODIUMS

* Each category has its own podium for the three first competitors.

STANDINGS

* Cars and drivers have their own classification in each category.

* One point is awarded for the pole position in each category.

* Points are awarded to the following scale:

1. 25 point

2. 18 points

3. 15 points

4. 12 points

5. 10 points

6. 8 points

7. 6 points

8. 4 points

9. 2 points

10. 1 point

AUTOMATIC INVITATIONS TO THE 2025 24 HOURS OF LE MANS

Okay, like I said before- the teams in these series get invited to WEC Le Mans.

* LMP2: 1st and 2nd placed competitors in the overall classifications will receive LMP2 invitations.

* LMP2 Pro/Am: 1st placed competitor in the overall classifications will receive a LMP2 invitation.

* LMP3: 1st placed competitor in the overall classifications will receive a LMP2 invitation.

* LMGT3: 1st placed competitor in the overall classifications will receive a LMGT3 invitation

TEAMS/DRIVERS

* 44 cars are to race during the 2025 season of the European Le Mans Series

* Line-ups are composed of two to three drivers per car.

* 14 LMP2s, 7 entries in the LMP2 Pro/Am class, 10 LMP3s and 13 LMGT3s.

* to take part in the European Le Mans Series, you must be a categorized driver (based on the FIA Drivers’ categorization.)

* the categorization can be adjusted following the pace of the driver during the current season and his/ her results in the series he/she is taking part in.

* The drivers can be rated in 4 classes: Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. 


PLATINUM DRIVERS (just some basics)

* has held a Super Licence (for Formula One)

* has won the Le Mans 24 Hours in a professional category (LMP1 / LMGTE Pro)

* has been a Factory Driver, paid by a car manufacturer, with results to match

* has finished in the top 3 in the general classification of an F3 international series or major international single-seater championship

GOLD DRIVERS

* has finished in the top 3 in the general classification of a secondary international single-seater series

* has won the general classification of a regional or national single-seater series

* has competed in the FIA F2, GP2, GP3, FIA F3 or Super Formula series since 2012 and has finished on the podium on three or more occasions in one calendar season.

* is a driver whose average lap time has been consistently as fast or faster over the majority of the season than the average lap time of Gold drivers competing in the same event of the season

SILVER DRIVER

* driver aged under 30 and not satisfying the criteria of categories Platinum and Gold

* driver who has finished in 1st place in the general classification of regional or major national championships or international series, or has won a major endurance race

* driver who has won a non-professional drivers' series or a regional, national or international single-make lower category series organized by a Manufacturer

* has competed competitively in high-level international karting competitions

BRONZE DRIVER

* Any driver who was over 30 years old when his/her first license was issued, and who has little or no single-seater experience.

* Any driver over 30, previously categorized as Silver, but with no significant results (titles, pole positions or race wins) and whose performance has been shown to be that of a Bronze driver in a monitored series.

* Any driver under 30 years old with a license issued for the first time during the same year as their first categorization and who has not competed in high-level international karting competitions.

WHERE IS LOGAN

now that we have that info dump, let’s find out where Logan fits in

Logan is going to be racing the number 18 (Ls2 SAR18)

He is racing with IDEC Sport Racing LMP2

His teammates (all three will be racing under #18)

Jamie Chadwick - 3x W Series Champion, Formula E test driver, Formula 1 Williams development driver, Indy NXT race winner

Mathys Jaubert - I don’t a lot but he is 19, finished in the top 3 of Porsche championships

Please feel free to correct me or add things in reblogs/replies :) I am very new so I will be learning with everyone 🙌

[reallyreallyreallytrying]

you don't really see the michelin man anymore. tyres are more popular than ever, of course. and the michelin name is respected everywhere. yet where the man

[batsplat]

Former MotoGP winner Marco Melandri has had a pop at reigning world champion Valentino Rossi via his Italian online blog marcomelandri.it. Melandri believes Rossi was fed bespoke tyres by Michelin before the French company were ousted from the MotoGP series after Bridgestone tyres won the sole supplier contract. Moreover, Melandri believes this is the reason Rossi's domination of the series is slowly diminishing: 'This is down to the fact that they don't make tyres anymore just for him,' wrote Melandri. 'This statement is meant to say that maybe Michelin, in 2004, had more than a small hand in the results. More like an arm.' There's more: Melandri goes on to say he believes Lorenzo's 'armchair' celebrations at this year's MotoGP from Le Mans had a more sinister message: 'Taking a closer look at it, you start to see more: the chair was yellow... like Valentino's yellow... which would say: "I, Lorenzo, am taking your place on your yellow chair".' When questioned about the stunt at yesterday's MotoGP press conference, Lorenzo looked puzzled, replying: "But the chair was green."

x

more of the blog entry under the cut

"Lorenzo's celebration was serious stuff, with a subtle yet biting message that only some will pick up on. Did you get it? Let's take a look at it together," Melandri wrote on his official website marcomelandri.it, with his words subsequently translated into English by Italian website GPone.com.

"When I rode by on the cool down lap, I saw Lorenzo sitting in front of the video screen and my first thought was: 'He is enjoying the sight of his own victory.' But noooooo!!!

"Taking a closer look at it, you start to see more: the chair was yellow... like Valentino's yellow... which would say: "I, Lorenzo, am taking your place on your yellow chair."

"Am I sitting down with the popcorn to enjoy my spectacular victory??? No, I am sitting here watching you cross the finish line, because I already passed it..."

Melandri also blasted Rossi for his response to the celebration and comment about the one-tyre rule.

"Valentino's statement: "I did it ten years ago"... Weak... followed by: "Now, with spec tyres, the rider can't make such a difference." This is down to the fact that they don't make tyres anymore just for him," wrote Melandri.

"This statement is meant to say that maybe Michelin, in 2004, had more than a small hand in the results. More like an arm.

"I don't want to say that anyone is right or wrong, but only put forth my theory that aliens don't exist," added the San Carlo Honda Gresini rider, referring to the label applied to MotoGP's present big four of Rossi, Lorenzo, Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa.

And Melandri wasn't finished yet. He also gave his opinion on Rossi's 2011 plans and thinks it is simply too dangerous for Rossi to leave Yamaha if Lorenzo stays.

"I really want to see Valentino on the Ducati next year, but I think it is more likely he would go to Formula 1!" he wrote. "Not because the red bikes aren't competitive; I actually think they are much more competitive than you think. It is just hard for him to leave Lorenzo alone on the Yamaha, now that the bike has an incredible balance. It is too, too, too large a risk."

The Italian Grand Prix, the home event for both 2005 title runner-up Melandri and reigning seven time MotoGP champion, starts on Friday.

"In Italy they have a unique way of presenting bike racing to the general public: when Valentino wins and stages a celebration, it is an incredible show. But when others do it, they downplay the whole thing... hmmm!!!" said Melandri.

[robinfrinjs]

Michelin Man waving goodbye to a Goodyear tyre

[f1]

WEC allows one-off return for tyre warmers at Le Mans 24 Hours after crashes | WEC

The ban on the use of tyre warmers in the World Endurance Championship will be relaxed for the series’ blue riband race at Le Mans next month. The FIA and l’Automobile Club de l’Ouest has permitted the change as a one-off measure which will apply across all classes. It follows a series of crashes in the opening rounds of the championship. Ferrari’s Antonio Fuoco crashed heavily during the last round of the championship at Spa-Francorchamps. Render van der Zande also suffered a race-ending shunt in his Cadillac. The FIA and ACO said they had “conducted an in-depth evaluation of tyre usage data together with the FIA World Endurance Championship’s exclusive tyre suppliers Michelin and Goodyear” in reaching the decision. “The exemption is limited to the 24 Hours of Le Mans only, ensuring that drivers of all experience levels will be able to compete in the safest possible environment regardless of track conditions and temperatures, while tyre manufacturers, teams and drivers will gain valuable time to develop better understanding of how to bring cold tyres up to temperature ahead of the remainder of the 2023 FIA WEC season,” the governing bodies stated. The FIA is moving to outlaw tyre warmers in order to reduce energy consumption. It aims to do the same in Formula 1, where official tyre supplier Pirelli is developing new compounds designed to be used without tyre blankets. F1 teams will vote in July on whether to go ahead with the ban on tyre warmers in 2024. WEC’s tyre heaters “will be powered by 100% sustainable fuel” at Le Mans, the FIA added. “Moving away from tyre warming was originally introduced as part of a long-term WEC tyre road map, developed in consultation with tyre manufacturers, and has been in the works over the last two years.” The ban on tyre warmers will come back into force at the fifth round of the World Endurance Championship, the Six Hours of Monza, in July. Advert | Become a RaceFans supporter and go ad-free 2023 F1 season Browse all 2023 F1 season articles via RaceFans - Independent Motorsport Coverage https://www.racefans.net/

[scotianostra]

John Boyd Dunlop, who patented the first practical practical pneumatic tyre, was born in Ayrshire on February 5th 1846.

Notice I didn’t say invented there, because he might have perfected the tyre but he didn’t come up with the idea, it was another clever Scot called  Robert William Thomson who made the first pneumatic tyre on 10 December 1845, some 43 years before John Dunlop’s re-invention, it was way too soon for the world to appreciate it though, so on this day in 1846 a Scotsman re-invented the wheel...sort of :) 

John Boyd Dunlop was a veterinary surgeon from Scotland who had settled in Belfast in Northern Ireland. He didn't really have much to do with then newfangled driving devices like the bicycle, but is said to have worked a lot with rubber in his practice. To make his son's tricycle faster and more comfortable, he tinkered with the sheathing of the wheels. He developed a rubber tube that was wrapped in canvas and glued to a wooden rim. A baby's dummy is said to have served as a valve.

With this air-filled tyre, Dunlop junior whizzed happily along the streets of Belfast in the spring of 1888, easily outstripping his comrades. Dunlop realised that the pneumatic tyre held great promise and successfully applied for a patent for his invention at the end of the same year. This marked the beginning of the rise of the Dunlop brand, which is still famous today (including 129659, DE word mark since 1910; DE756765 or EM005125489). 

But: Dunlop should never have been granted this patent. The UK Patent Office had overlooked the fact that someone else had already received the patent for a pneumatic tyre some 40 years earlier. Robert William Thomson (1822-1873) was also Scottish and an extremely talented inventor. At the age of 23, he was granted pneumatic tyre patents in France and the USA ( US5104A). His tyre consisted of a hollow belt of Indian rubber inflated with air and covered with a leather casing. The wheels laid, as it were, "a cushion of air on the ground, rail or track" on which they ran. Thomson demonstrated his "Aerial Wheels" on horse-drawn carriages in London's Regent's Park in March 1847.

But unfortunately the time was not yet ripe for his invention. Like many other ingenious inventor´s ideas, Thomson´s tyre fell into oblivion. But he was luckier with other projects. He developed, among other things, the fountain pen, new types of steam engines and electric ignition devices for blasting, which greatly advanced railway construction. He died a rich and respected man.

John Boyd Dunlop is said to have known nothing of his compatriot's invention when he registered his idea with the patent office. He further improved his pneumatic tyres and had a series of 50 bicycles fitted with them. With one of these bicycles, William Hume, the previously unsuccessful captain of the Belfast Cruisers' Cycle Club, suddenly achieved spectacular success in bicycle races.

Among others, Hume beat the national champion Arthur Du Cros on 18th May 1889. The latter's father, the entrepreneur William Harvey Du Cros, recognised the marketing potential of the invention. He sought contact with Dunlop and together they founded the "Pneumatic Tyre & Booth's Cycle Agency" in Westland Row in Dublin on 18th November 1889, which was soon renamed "Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd". The triumphant advance of the pneumatic tyre began.

At the first Olympic Games in Athens in 1896, all cyclists competed with pneumatic tyres.

However, as the invention became more widely known, Thomson's patent came to light again. Dunlop initially lost his patent. The brothers Edouard and André Michelin from Clermont-Ferrand took advantage of this and produced pneumatic tyres on a large scale. They were also the first to equip the emerging automobile with tyres, thus considerably accelerating its success story.

Dunlop continued to further develop the tyre and was able to obtain new patents for his improvements, which ensured his economic success

Above all, the valve, which is still named after him today, proved that he was an able inventor. Incidentally, he also applied for patents for developments in completely different fields, such as a skin lotion as seen in the pics.

Only four years after the foundation of his company, Dunlop's first foreign branch was established in Hanau. It still exists today. Dunlop was soon to manufacture numerous other rubber products such as golf and tennis balls, floor coverings and brake shoes. The company became one of the first "global players", a worldwide manufacturing company.

John Boyd Dunlop withdrew completely from the company in 1895 and returned to his veterinary practice. Along the way, he and his son worked on new inventions, such as a patented eau de toilette.

[squideo]

The Coolest Animated Characters of All Time: Icons That Stole Our Hearts

Animation offers a vast variety of options for character design, each created to attract a particular demographic. Not every character becomes an icon, however, which is why Squideo is breaking down the animation character designs of ten of the coolest animated characters of all time.

01. Mickey Mouse

The icon of the Walt Disney Company, Mickey Mouse is arguably the most recognisable character in the world. Created by Walt Disney and Ub Iwerks in 1928, Mickey Mouse is one of the oldest entries on this list (but not the record holder) and helped make Disney the company it is today. As is often the case for successful creations, there is some dispute how Mickey was created; but we’re glad to have him.

Mickey Mouse set the style for all future Disney animation designs. The rounded character, use of bold colours and a distinctive colour palette for each character; it all started with Mickey. Disney has its own unique animation style, crafted over its 100 year lifespan. The animation style has changed over the years with the incorporation of new technology, especially 3D computer animation, but remains distinguishable from other animation companies.

02. Winnie-the-Pooh

First featured on screen in 1966, the character of Winnie-the-Pooh was created in 1925 by British author A. A. Milne and illustrated by E. H. Shepard. The rights are held by Disney, yet other adaptations have been made. Perhaps the antithesis to the Disney version is the Soviet Union’s version of the famous bear, released in 1969 and followed by two additional films, which removes Christopher Robin but adds a narrator.

With the exception of the 1925 and 1969 versions of Winnie-the-Pooh, the character design remained consistent in the Disney productions which helped this Winnie-the-Pooh become the most identifiable version of the character. In that classic Disney style, Winnie-the-Pooh is soft and cuddly, and easily spotted with his amber and red colour palette.

03. The Simpsons

Sticking with yellow-hued characters, it’s time to look at one of Earth’s most popular families. First appearing in 1987 as a short in The Tracey Ullman Show, The Simpsons went on to get their own franchise in 1989 that is running to this day. It’s the longest-running American sitcom and animated series with 34 seasons and 750 episodes (as of August 2023).

Beyond the prominence of the colour yellow, The Simpsons are recognisable for their geometric appearance. Bart, Lisa and Maggie’s spiky hair, Homer’s chevron hairline and Marge’s rectangular dress. The design is easy to reproduce and remains recognisable even if the style changes. The Simpsons have hosted many guest artists for the couch gag, from Guillermo del Torro to Sylvain Chomet, yet no one would mistake what they were watching for any other animated show.

04. Bibendum

Bibendum, known as the Michelin Tyre Man in the English-speaking world, is the oldest entry on the list. First created for this French company in 1894, this character has become an icon the world over and remains one of the oldest trademarks still in use. Its popularity has been referenced in books, film, television and songs. The character even starred in a 2009 animated short film, Logorama.

The character has changed over the years to reflect the times, but every version remains identifiable as the Michelin Tyre Man. Despite tyres turning black in the 1910s, the character has retained the whiteness of the earliest tyres in production. After 120 years, it would be hard to change the essential makeup of this character without destroying the Michelin brand.

05. Mulan

The eighth addition to the Disney Princess line-up, and the first who was not a real princess, Mulan hit the screens in 1998. This animated character reinvented the formula of a Disney Princess film, by making Mulan into a hero who saves herself, her family and her country. The romance is relegated to a subplot, and the film doesn’t end with a wedding.

Despite Mulan only having two feature films to her name (1998, 2004), the character has appeared in multiple Disney shows and videos games, most famously appearing in 2016 Wreck It Ralph with the other Disney Princesses. Her tenure as a Disney Princess hasn’t gone without controversy, however. A redesign in 2013 prompted a public backlash as the character’s skin was lightened, causing a swift reversal by Disney.

06. Scooby-Doo

These mystery solvers have been on television since 1969, branching out into films (animated and live-action), video games and comics. The core gang have stayed in place with the titular Scooby-Doo joined by his friends Shaggy, Velma, Daphne and Fred. Some additions have been made to the original Hanna Barbera line-up, such as the divisive Scrappy-Doo.

Like the other oldies on the list, the Scooby-Doo characters have seen significant redesign over the years. From making them children in A Pup Named Scooby-Doo (1988) to giving the human characters tiny eyes in Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated (2010), but the biggest change came with Velma (2023) which sought to diversify the originally all-white cast.

07. Totoro

Despite being the subject of only one feature-length film, the character Totoro from My Neighbour Totoro (1988) has become a cultural icon in Japan. Brought back in ani-manga books, a novel and – most recently – a stage adaptation, Totoro has fame outside of Japan too. In fact, its popularity led to a cameo of Totoro in Toy Story 3 (2010).

Created by Studio Ghibli, Totoro has been adapted as the production company’s mascot much like Mickey Mouse has been at Disney. Using hand drawn animation, bright colours and individually coloured frames, the rich visual style is a sharp contrast to the Western examples featured in this list.

08. Tom and Jerry

Created by the renowned William Hanna and Joseph Barbera duo 17 years before they formed their own company, Tom (originally called Jasper) and Jerry were originally the product of MGM when these characters first debuted in 1940. The journey has continued in the hands of numerous producers and three studios, making fans with their slapstick comedy for over 80 years.

Tom’s angular ears and fur are set against Jerry’s rounded character, making them opposites in both personality and appearance. While the animation style has shifted slightly over various incarnations, the original 1940 characters are still identifiable in 2021’s Tom and Jerry in New York. The only real difference is the lightening of both characters’ fur and the addition of Tom’s sinisterly evil eyebrows.

09. Betty Boop

Made by Fleischer Studios in 1930, Betty Boop’s appearances in television and film hasn’t increased much since the decade of her creation. In spite of her limited filmography, Betty Boop has become one of the most iconic animated characters of all time – replicated in merchandise, comic book films and two films in the 1980s.

Betty Boop is a personification of the 1920s and flapper style. At first, the character was meant to be an anthropomorphic French poodle but Betty Boop was soon modelled after singer Helen Kane instead from who the classic catchphrase came: “Boop Oop a Doop.” Heavily censored by the Hays Code in 1934, Beety Boop’s appearance drastically changed – but it was that early incarnation that has lasted into modern times.

10. The Smurfs

Created by the Belgian comic artist Peyo in 1958 under the name Les Schtroumpfs, The Smurfs is one of the highest-grossing media franchises of all time. Popularised with English-speaking audiences when The Smurfs’ TV series launched in 1981, these iconic blue characters with their distinctive white hats (called ‘Phrygian caps’) quickly entered the mainstream.

These characters are so popular in Belgium that in 2005, UNICEF used The Smurfs to create an advert for their fundraising campaign for Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo – both former Belgian colonies. They’ve since been reimagined in the 2010s using 3D computer animation, bringing The Smurfs to another generation of viewers.

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Random Facts

Michelin stars are highly coveted by elite and upscale restaurants all over the world- but they're actually given out by the Michelin tyre company, the same one whose mascot is the marshmallow-like Michelin Man.

In a group of 23 people, there's more than a 50% chance that two of them share a birthday. With a group of 57 people, there's a 99.01% probability, and for 70 people the probability is 99.92%.

Acacia trees communicate with each other. They emit gasses to alert other trees to produce the toxic tannin, which protects them from hungry animals.

The longest reigning monarch ever was Louis XIV of France. He ruled for 72 years and 110 days.

In 2011, after being lost at sea for 33 days, a man washed ashore in the Marshall Islands. He then discovered that his uncle, believed to have drowned at sea about 50 years earlier, had also wound up on the same island and started a family there.

[babysdrivers]

Yes they killed him!!! They use hankook tyres now so no more Michelin man on the podium 😔

that's so sick.. i can't believe they'd do him like that he had a family!!!!

[cxrnelius]

anonymous 𝐚𝐬𝐤𝐞𝐝: 😘💚🎁

😘 talk about your crush or partner

" i'll follow back up when i meet them. "

💚 who are you jealous of and why? 

" the michelin tyre man . i just feel like he has it all figured out, y'know ? "

🎁 what never fails to make you happy?

" @niickvs tumbling down a hill , and the color olive green ... i'm a very simple man . "