The Shocking Original Logos of 10 Major Companies
By Caroline Stanley, Flavor Wire, 10 July 2012.
Regular Flavorwire readers know that we’re completely obsessed with logo design - from the fascinating back stories on how companies’ logos were dreamed up, to what they would say if they were really telling the truth. Now thanks to a post over on StockLogos, we’ve gotten an interesting glimpse at the original (and much less recognizable) logos of some of the world’s biggest companies, juxtaposed with the visuals that we associate these brands with today. From an Apple logo featuring a drawing of Isaac Newton perched under an apple tree to a McDonald’s logo with nary a golden arch in sight, click through for a slideshow of some the most surprising makeovers that we discovered.
1. Apple
Image credit: StockLogos
The original Apple logo, which was designed in 1976 by Ronald Wayne, featured a drawing of Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree, as well as a William Wordsworth quote. It only lasted one year.
2. Nintendo
Image credit: StockLogos
While you’re more familiar with the “racetrack” logo, the original version featured the company’s name written in kanji.
3. Canon
Image credit: StockLogos
That’s Kwanon, the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. He has 1,000 arms, but was ditched in 1935 for a name that would have more recognition worldwide.
4. Lego
Image credit: StockLogos
The original LEGO logo (say that ten times fast) was introduced in 1939 or 1940, but was phased out in following decade with the introduction of the first plastic toys.
5. Microsoft
Image credit: StockLogos
Designed back in 1975, this disco number is referred to as the “groovy logo.” We can see why.
6. McDonald’s
Image credit: StockLogos
We had no idea that when McDonald’s first opened in San Bernardino back in 1940, it was actually called McDonald’s Famous Barbecue. That was before Dick McDonald realized that 80% of the sandwiches that he was selling were hamburgers. The golden arches wouldn’t be incorporated into the design until 1962!
7. Shell
Image credit: StockLogos
We rather prefer this realistic looking scallop shell from the early 20th century. Don’t you? It almost makes Raymond Loewy’s now iconic logo, which was introduced in 1971, seem rather garish.
8. Firefox
Image credit: StockLogos
Firefox’s original 2002 logo didn’t feature a fox at all - rather, it was a phoenix - but that’s because Firefox was originally called Phoenix. Then, thanks to trademark issues, the named was changed to Firebird. When they finally settled on Firefox, Jon Hicks designed a new visual identity for the brand that launched and stuck.
9. Kodak
Image credit: StockLogos
This monochromatic beauty is from 1907. According to Kodak, it was “the first company to integrate its name and look into a symbol.”
10. Xerox
Image credit: StockLogos
Introduced circa 1949, the original Xerox logo just might be our favourite of the bunch.
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