In 1886, 33-year-old André Michelin abandoned his career as a successful Parisian engineer to take over his grandfather's failing agricultural goods and farm equipment business.

Michelin's grandfather had started the company that sold farm equipment and an odd assortment of vulcanized rubber products, such as belts, valves and pipes.

While duly committed to the success of the business, neither brother had any prior experience selling goods or had the slightest idea where to even begin.

In the late 1880s, cycling was becoming a popular form of transportation and hobby due in large part to John Dunlop's 1888 patent for the inflatable bicycle tyre.

After the hapless cyclist approached the Michelin Company for assistance, Édouard took great interests in the new pneumatic tyres.