Édouard Michelin (industrialist) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Édouard Michelin
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| Born |
Édouard Etienne Michelin
23 June 1859 Clermont-Ferrand, France
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| Died | 25 August 1940 (aged 81) Orcines, France
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| Nationality | French |
| Occupation | industrialist |
| Children | Étienne Michelin (son) Pierre Michelin (son) |
| Relatives | André Michelin (brother) |
Édouard Michelin (born June 23, 1859 – died August 25, 1940) was a French businessman. He was born in Clermont-Ferrand, France. Édouard and his older brother André were the leaders of the Michelin company.
Édouard was interested in art. But around 1888, he and his brother André went back to their hometown. They wanted to help their family's business. The company made farm tools and other items.
Contents
Improving the Tire
In 1889, Édouard made a big improvement to the pneumatic tire. This is an inflatable tire, like the ones on bikes and cars today. He made bicycle tires much easier to change and fix.
Tires for Bicycles
Édouard's new tire was tested in a bicycle race. This race was called the Paris–Brest cycle event. It happened in September 1891. The tires worked very well.
Tires for Cars
Soon, Michelin changed his inflatable tires for cars. France was becoming a top car maker at that time. The new car tires quickly became popular. By 1896, about 300 taxis in Paris used Michelin tires. The company grew very fast.
Leading the Michelin Company
Édouard Michelin helped the company become a major industrial power. Michelin made many important inventions in tire technology.
Helping Citroën
In 1934, Michelin bought the car company Citroën. Citroën was having money problems then. Édouard, his son Pierre, and their friend Pierre-Jules Boulanger helped Citroën. They made it one of Europe's most creative car makers. Citroën produced famous cars like the Citroën Traction and the 2CV.
Family and Legacy
Édouard Michelin lived a long life. Sadly, two of his sons died before him. His son Étienne Michelin died in a plane crash in 1932. His son Pierre Michelin died in a car accident in 1937.
Édouard's great-grandson was also named Édouard. He was a leader of the Michelin Group. He died in a boating accident in 2006.
In 2002, Édouard and his brother André were honored. They were added to the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan. This shows how important their work was in the car world.
See also
In Spanish: Édouard Michelin para niños
