Yep, Same Michelin - Learn Stuff

As long as I have been aware of Michelin Tire and the Michelin Guide, I just assumed they were completely unrelated. And I was completely incorrect.

Michelin was founded in France back in 1889. After a decade of business, they decided to find a way to increase tire sales. Their solution was the Michelin Guide.

In 1900, the tire manufacturer started a free publication for French motorists that included things like maps, repair tips, and the location of hotels, gas stations and restaurants. The idea was to get people to drive more miles, and therefore need to buy tires more often. It worked.

It wasn`t long before Michelin had guides for other parts of Europe and eventually the world. Today the guide is primarily a restaurant thing, and gaining or losing a Michelin Star could literally make or break a business.

If you ask me, the original Michelin Man (featured in the video) was pretty terrifying.