Its exuberant stylistic individualism has been variously described as an example of Art Nouveau, proto-Art-Deco, Secessionist Functionalism and geometrical Classicism. It has even been described as 'the most completely French of any Edwardian building in London'! Designed by an employee of the company, probably under the guidance of Edouard and Andre Michelin, it owes more to the imagination, vivacity and outrageously irreverent flair for public relations of these two men than to any notion of the architectural taste of its time. The bee hives on the upper outside corners, are representing piles of white
Michelin's slogan claiming that these tires "drink up obstacles" is the literal theme of this stained glass window, and there are sharp rocks in his toasting glass. On the table in front of him are a variety of tire repair tools of the 1910s
https://www.flickr.com/photos/76677346@N04/52513050073/in/photostream/
http://www.bibendum.co.uk/the-building.html#.Vo1A1vkrKM8
http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/london/tiles/michelin/mosaic.shtml
Tiles on the building exterior
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/snaps/bibendum_restaurant_london_chelsea.htm
http://conranandpartners.com/project/the-conran-shop-ltd-michelin-house/
60 years after Edouard Daubrée married a Scot, niece of the scientist named Mackintosh who discovered the solubility of rubber in Benzene, and she introduced rubber into the Auvergne region of France by manufacturing balls out of rubber for her children to play with, Edouard Michelin, who had been operating a painting studio in Paris, takes over management of the J.G. Bideau company and renames it Michelin and Co.
A bicyclist happens to show up on the doorstep of the Michelin Co. looking for materials to repair a damaged Dunlop tire for his bike. It takes 3 hours of labor and an overnight drying time to repair the tire.
The next morning when the bike was ready, Edouard Michelin tried to ride the newly repaired bike, but within minutes, he returned on foot - the repair had failed! Edouard could not believe this ordeal and set off to develop a bicycle tire that is easier to repair.
This single event is credited for igniting the Michelin tire empire. Later that year, Michelin files its first patents for detachable tires (this tire can be repaired in 15 minutes!).
http://www.nwcitroen.org/mag/articles/CC155/michelin_museum.htm
Thanks to Steve for inspiring me to do a post about Bibendum!
http://www.bibendum.co.uk/the-building.html#.Vo1A1vkrKM8
http://www.thejoyofshards.co.uk/london/tiles/michelin/mosaic.shtml
Tiles on the building exterior
http://www.streetsensation.co.uk/snaps/bibendum_restaurant_london_chelsea.htm
http://conranandpartners.com/project/the-conran-shop-ltd-michelin-house/
60 years after Edouard Daubrée married a Scot, niece of the scientist named Mackintosh who discovered the solubility of rubber in Benzene, and she introduced rubber into the Auvergne region of France by manufacturing balls out of rubber for her children to play with, Edouard Michelin, who had been operating a painting studio in Paris, takes over management of the J.G. Bideau company and renames it Michelin and Co.
A bicyclist happens to show up on the doorstep of the Michelin Co. looking for materials to repair a damaged Dunlop tire for his bike. It takes 3 hours of labor and an overnight drying time to repair the tire.
The next morning when the bike was ready, Edouard Michelin tried to ride the newly repaired bike, but within minutes, he returned on foot - the repair had failed! Edouard could not believe this ordeal and set off to develop a bicycle tire that is easier to repair.
This single event is credited for igniting the Michelin tire empire. Later that year, Michelin files its first patents for detachable tires (this tire can be repaired in 15 minutes!).
http://www.nwcitroen.org/mag/articles/CC155/michelin_museum.htm
Thanks to Steve for inspiring me to do a post about Bibendum!
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