Innovation

Edouard Michelin developed and patented the first detachable tire with an inner tube for bicycles making punctures easy to repair.

A star was born: the Michelin Man.

The first MICHELIN guide was published. 35,000 copies were distributed.

The Driver Information Office was launched. It provided road users with free, personalized driving directions. The office later became the Driving Directions Office.

The first Michelin road map specially designed for motorists was published. It featured the famous "accordion" fold patented by Michelin.

Michelin created a new collection of guides, each containing information and driving directions for exploring a particular region. The first guide featured Brittany. Originally with a red cover, the regional guides later developed into the famous collection of "Green Guides".

To give passengers a more comfortable ride, Michelin came up with the idea of fitting tires on trains. The Group designed a tire that could run on rails, as well as a new type of light railway vehicle known as a "Micheline". The name soon caught on.

Michelin filed a patent for a tire with a built-in inner tube, the forerunner of the tubeless tire.

Michelin designed the very first snow tire: the MICHELIN N. It offered excellent road holding in winter conditions.

Michelin’s extensive research resulted in an amazing technological breakthrough: a tire with a radial casing. It was not just new, it was also safer, more economical and longer lasting offering up to four times higher mileage than a conventional tire. Michelin filed the patent for this innovation on June 4. The first radial tire was released in 1949 under the name of MICHELIN X. it was gradually rolled out across all the different segments: Truck tires (1952), Earthmovers (1959), Winter XM+S (1964), Agricultural Bib X (1978), Aircraft Air X (1981) and Motorcycle (1987).

ViaMichelin was set up to develop digital services for travel assistance. These free services give users all the useful information they need to prepare their trips.

Michelin launched the MICHELIN CrossClimate tire, the first summer tire with winter certification thanks to a savvy mix of previously incompatible summer and winter tire technologies.

Michelin showcased a revolutionary prototype of its Vision Concept at the Movin’On Sustainable Mobility Summit. This connected airless tire has a tread which can be recharged using a 3D printer.  Michelin had invented the tire of the future.

Michelin unveiled the UPTIS prototype (Unique Puncture Proof TIre System) at the Movin’On Sustainable Mobility Summit. This new generation of airless wheel technology for passenger vehicles eliminates the risk of flat tires and blowouts. A major advancement toward achieving Michelin’s VISION concept.