August 1, 1900 - The Michelin Guide



Édouard Michelin


On August 1, 1900, the 1st Michelin Guide is published by the brothers Édouard and André Michelin as a hotel and restaurant reference guide to encourage more road travel and thus boost tire sales




"Considered by many to be the hallmark of global fine dining and quality cuisine, the Michelin Guide wields immense power over chefs, restaurateurs, and foodies the world over. It may divide opinions across the food service industry, but its influence is undeniable. French chef Paul Bocuse, a pioneer of nouvelle cuisine, once said, “Michelin is the only guide that counts.” The birth of the famous little red book, however, was anything but glamorous.


The Michelin tire company was established in 1889 by brothers André and Édouard Michelin in France. It was a time when driving was perceived as a novelty to most, with less than 3,000 cars in all of the country. However, the brothers were quick to recognize driving and mobility as a lasting trend.


To encourage more road travel, and hence boost tire sales, they decided to create a comprehensive guidebook for motorists which cataloged hotels, restaurants, mechanics, and gas stations. In 1900, the very first edition of the Michelin Guide was published and 35,000 copies were given out for free.


As the tire company grew, so did the guide. Country-specific editions were published throughout Europe, starting with Belgium in 1904. A charge was introduced for the first time in 1920 when André Michelin walked into a garage and saw copies of the guidebook being used to support a workbench. Realizing that “Man only truly respects what he pays for,” he started charging 7 francs for the guides."¹

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https://guide.michelin.com/kr/en/article/features/history-michelin-guide

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