In 1889 two brothers, AndrC) and Edouard Michelin, embarked on a great human and industrial odyssey: that of developing modern transport solutions through ceaseless innovation. The company was founded on the idea of a rubber brake pad. A cyclist came by the plant in 1891 trying to buy materials to repair his tires on his bicycle. Frustrated with the process, Edouard set out to make the process easier. The pneumatic tire was born. Michelin, A Better Way Forward.