#15: The Original Michelin Man

We all know the Michelin Man as the official mascot of the Michelin Tire Company. In case you were wondering, your hunch is correct. The Michelin Man is, indeed, a literal pile of tires stacked on top of one another. There’s no denying that the Michelin Man is one of the most unique and recognizable mascots in history. 

How did we even get the Michelin Man as a mascot? This famous tire guy debuted in 1898. Michelin originally produced white bicycle tires, which is why the mascot is comprised of a bunch of white rings. As you can see from this vintage Michelin poster, the Michelin Man originally wore a monocle and smoked a cigar. Obviously, he received a makeover to make him look more approachable and friendly.