February 23, 2005

Automobile-> Tires-> Gasoline-> Gastronome

pdb.jpgIt seems that the executives of Michelinmichman.jpg were having a brainstorming session, and somehow associated the word "gastronome" with automotive products.

I remember when "recommended by Duncan Hines" was a coveted award to be displayed by restaurants, and I never had a problem understanding why.

But how did the Michelin Man get in the act?

(I heard that his cousin is the Pillsbury Dough Boy.)

Posted by Susan R at February 23, 2005 02:55 PM
Comments

you're right! I think I saw them at a family reunion last year...see, I'm a marshmallow.

Posted by: Alli at February 24, 2005 01:26 AM

Not sure if you want serious answers but my understanding was that in the earlier days of the automobile, various auto industries tried to find ways of "adding value" to their product. One such industry (the tire industry) had various "motorist guides" that they published - including "how to get there" and "what to do when you get there". This extended to "where to stay on the way" and "what to eat along the way".

Here in Oz, you get such guides from the motorists associations in each state. I believe in the US you can get them from AA (or am I mixing them up with the Alcoholics). The "Michelin" awards used to mean that your restaurant was published in their drivers recommendation book...

Posted by: Oz Guru at February 24, 2005 04:26 AM