64 - SOCIETA' PER AZIONI MICHELIN ITALIANA S.A.M.I.

SOCIETA' PER AZIONI MICHELIN ITALIANA S.A.M.I. A unique, handmade ceramic piece, 31x23 cm, not for sale. Handcrafted by the Curti kiln—artisans of terracotta since 1400. The Michelin Man, Bibendum, or commonly known as Bib, was created in 1898 by the French illustrator Marius Rossillon, at the request of brothers André and Édouard Michelin, founders of the Michelin company. The idea came about when André Michelin noticed that a stack of tires on display at a trade show resembled the silhouette of a person. They discussed it with Rossillon, who transformed that insight into an advertising character that later became Bibendum—today one of the world’s most famous corporate mascots. The name Bibendum derives from the Latin phrase “Nunc est bibendum” (“Now is the time to drink”), which appeared on one of the first Michelin posters. In the poster, the little man was toasting with a cup full of nails and glass shards, symbolizing the durability of Michelin tires. Bib is Michelin’s international symbol and represents the Group’s values of reliability, quality, innovation, safety, and mobility.