PANNELS « MICHELIN »
Michelin panel history (sources www.brousse63.fr)
Following the model of the English, André Michelin put in place a first signposting, unpublished in France. André Michelin showed himself to be a real pioneer of road signs and signals in which he had been involved since 1908. On his initiative in 1910, two-sided plates were displayed at the entrance to the cities where safety inscriptions such as « Please slow down » and exit « Thank you. ». They indicated the names of the localities, the designation and the road numbers. On the panel was the sponsor's name « Michelin ».
Thirty thousand plates enamelled between 1911 and 1914 will be offered and placed free of charge in the municipalities of France. The Michelin Corner Station.
In the aftermath of the First World War, André Michelin undertook the study of a signalling apparatus which would gather all the information necessary for the proper journey of the motorist on one medium. For the indicator panel, André Michelin had the idea of using enamelled lava plates (the enamelling of the so-called Volvic stone). « Volvic lava »), more resistant and stainless and for solid support, reinforced concrete.
The angle terminal was born in 1918, but it was only in 1928 and after four different prototypes that it will take its definitive form consisting of a wider foot on the ground and finer in the support of the signalling cube.
In 1931 the use of this signal was officially approved. In addition to the corner terminals, Michelin produces and installs until 1939 « posts », « walls » and « wall panels » In addition to a few signs of Danger and Priority.
A general instruction on road signs was issued in 1946. It cancels all previous instructions and imposes homogeneity and consistency. Donations and advertising are no longer accepted.
However, the production of terminals continues and is mainly installed in the countryside. They are distinguished from those of the 1930s by the absence of an advertising banner and the cream colour of enamel. Michelin terminals were produced until 1971.
They have been manufactured and installed along our roads for over 40 years.