¿Do you know the history of logos? You might think they’re a modern invention, but the truth is they’re not new and have been used for a long time. Yes, really. Even if it surprises you.
From our design studio in Madrid, Salago, we invite you to join us in exploring the history of logos. It will likely help you better understand the importance of a custom design for your business or project.
History of logos: a surprising journey
Distinctive trademarks or logos?
For centuries, many artisans and businesses used a distinctive mark to identify their products or recognize their work. These marks could also be included in what we would now call advertising materials, although in a different way than usual.
Even ranches branded their cattle or other animals with a distinctive logo so that in case of theft or loss, their owner would be known. This mark often served as a symbol of identity, guaranteeing the quality of the livestock raised on a particular ranch.
But for experts, the history of logos goes back much further, to the intertwined initials that some rulers of ancient Greece used when minting coins.
In any case, all these distinctive marks used for centuries represent the beginning of the history of logos. They are not logos themselves, but they can be considered their origin.
The first logo was created in the Victorian era.
If you enjoy history (or have watched some popular series set in this era), you already know that the reign of Queen Victoria in England was a time of great discoveries, technological and engineering advancements, and, for many, the dawn of modernity. It was also during this period that the use of graphic design flourished.
It is in this era that the history of the logo truly begins. The first logo was registered in 1876. It represented a brewery, the Bass Brewery.
That same year, the UK Trademark Registration Act was established. This marked a milestone in the history of logos, as brands gained greater prominence and it became important to stand out from the competition.
The history of logos in the 20th century
During the first three decades of the 20th century, logos had rounded shapes. They were more ornamental than symbolic. Gradually, they began to be handcrafted and become more naturalized, but it was an evolutionary process.
In those early years of the century, the initial versions of logos as famous as that of the legendary Coca-Cola appeared. From 1930 onward, designs became simpler. At that time, logos were mostly black and white.
From then on, the history of logos changed. Increasingly creative designs were chosen. The conviction began to emerge that the logo had an impact on the public. Some designers began to apply color psychology. And the goal was to capture the essence of the brand in an original and creative way.
The great leap forward in the history of logos took place in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Logos began to be designed with intention, not just to be recognizable, but to generate or evoke feelings or reactions in the public. And they became increasingly symbolic.
In those years, iconic logos emerged, such as the first IBM logo. And logos of already well-known brands like Mercedes and Nike were simplified.
History of logos in the 21st century to the present
Digitization has further simplified logos. They are now simple designs that make an immediate impact. Leading brands have been reducing the elements in their logos to achieve instant impact. This also makes a logo easy to remember and identify, practically from the first glance.
Firefox and Instagram are good examples of how their logos have been simplified compared to their early versions a few years ago.
The history of logos still has much to tell. The present will be history in the future. But for now, we can only experience it and leverage the power of logos for the benefit of brands. If your business or project is just starting out and doesn’t yet have a logo, give it the attention it deserves because its impact will help drive your company’s success.
Contact us for a custom logo for your brand.
