Saturday, September 02, 2006

Answers to Quiz # 24


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Answers for Punchliners Quiz # 24
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1. PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE - BRIDGESTONE

2. A better way forward - MICHELIN

3. Accelerate your soul - DUNLOP

4. Tyres with Muscle - MRF

5. Born Tough - CEAT
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Trivia
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1. Shojiro Ishibashi (1889-1976) was the Founder of Bridgestone Corporation. At the time, when he started, British and American products were in high demand and he decided to capitalise on this international aspect. In fact, Bridgestone is a literal English translation of his last name "Ishibashi" which means "Stone Bridge". He liked the sound of it better when he reversed the words to Bridge Stone.

2. The story of Dunlop: Simple ideas can change the world. In 1888, while watching his son ride a tricycle, John Boyd Dunlop noticed his discomfort whenever he rode over cobbled ground. He knew the tricycle's solid rubber tyres were to blame. The solution? He wrapped the wheels in thin rubber sheets, glued them together, inflated them with a football pump for a cushioning effect - and created the first commercially viable pneumatic tyre. Dunlop patented the idea, giving his fledgling Dunlop tyre company a head start over automotive competitors who had already recognised the tyre's many advantages. Ten years later, Dunlop's invention had almost entirely replaced solid tyres.

3. The oldest company of the RPG Enterprises, CEAT Tyres was established in 1958. Today, CEAT is one of India's leading tyre manufacturers, with an annual turnover of Rs 1,780 crores (US $400 million). Most of us are not aware of the fact that CEAT is actually an acronym which stands for Cavi Electrici Affini Torino.

4. MRF Story: A young entrepreneur, K. M. Mammen Mappillai, opened a small toy balloon manufacturing unit in a shed at Tiruvottiyur, Madras (now Chennai). Although the "factory" was just a small shed without any machines, a variety of products, ranging from balloons and latex-cast squeaking toys to industrial gloves and contraceptives, were produced. During this time, MRF established its first office at 334, Thambu Chetty Street, Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu, India.
The logo of MRF Muscleman evolved in the year 1964. It also has an interesting story. One day, a truck driver at a roadside dhaba (makeshift eatery) somewhere in Western India hit upon the right idea when he said, "A goodtyre should have all the qualities of a pehalwan (strong man)." And from this simple statement, the muscleman was born. MRF stands for Madras Rubber Factory.

5. Michelin: The company's symbol is Bibendum, the Michelin Man, introduced in 1898 by French artist O'Galop (pseudonym of Marius Rossillon), and one of the world's oldest trademarks. Andre Michelin apparently commissioned the creation of this jolly, rotund figure after his brother, Édouard, observed that a display of stacked tires resembled a human form. Today, Bibendum is one of the world's most recognized trademarks, representing Michelin in over 150 countries.

Congratulations to HARI CHERREDI for winning this round of Punchliners !!!!

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