Henry Ford immortalised

Henry Ford and the brothers Michelin are among five legends of the motoring world to be inducted to the European Automotive Hall of Fame next year.

Henry Ford and the brothers Michelin are among five legends of the motoring world to be inducted to the European Automotive Hall of Fame next year. Ford (1863-1947) was not only the founder of Ford Motor Company, but also pioneered mass production of the legendary Model T.

In addition to Ford, the brothers André (1853-1931) and Edouard Michelin (1859-1940) will be honoured for producing the first pneumatic tyre to be successfully fitted to a car, in 1895.

Battista Pininfarina (1893-1966), founder of the influential Italian design house that bears his name, and Nikolaus Otto (1832-1891), the German who built the first practical high-compression four-stroke engine with an ignition device, will also be inducted.

According to Automotive News, the five will join the 13 charter members inducted this year.

The new members will be honoured during ceremonies coinciding with the annual Geneva Motor Show in March. The Hall of Fame is at the Palexpo in Switzerland.