A logo is more than just a pretty image that represents a brand; above all, it is a visual representation of the company’s core values and beliefs. Nonetheless, throughout the years, many brands have decided to switch things up and make new adjustments to their iconic logos, whether it be to raise brand awareness or just bring something new to the table.
So, without further ado, here are some of the most famous logos of gigantic brands — both their past and current versions. Keep scrolling if you want to find out more!
1. Nike
Nike Logos Then and Now
Founded back in 1964, yet staying relatively unknown until its memorable “swoosh” logo (1971), Nike has been known for its extensive collection of high-quality footwear fit for both professional athletes and common folk. The designer of Nike’s “swoosh” logo is Carolyn Davidson, who created the symbol as an indication of movement and speed as the brand’s main focus was on sport and activewear.
However, not a whole many know that Nike’s original name was, in fact, “Blue Ribbon Sports,” and that their earliest logo in 1964 featured the letters “BRS” with the original name written below. Over the years, the logo design had seen extensive changes until, finally, from 1978 and onward, the logo displays the words “Nike,” with the famous “swoosh” below.
Fun Facts
The first athlete endorsed by Nike was legendary Romanian tennis player Ilie Nastase, who signed a contract in 1972.
Nastase, also popularly known as the “Bucharest Buffoon” or “Nasty” made it into sports history books when in 1973 he became the world’s top professional tennis player. Finally, in 1991, Nastase was included into the Tennis Hall of Fame.
Nike’s famous slogan “Just Do It” was released in 1988.
It’s true: the most popular logos also come with popular slogans, such as Nike’s famous catch-phrase “Just Do It” which was inspired by the last words of a murderer. Nevertheless, the company included the words into a highly successful advertising campaign targeted towards all health-conscious Americans, no matter the age, gender, or level of physical ability.
Over 80,000 pairs of Nike sneakers were lost at sea in 1990.
Again, memorable logos come with memorable trivia — back in 1990 thousands of this company’s shoes went missing in the Pacific Ocean; it is said that due to the durability of Nike’s, the movement of the shoes could be tracked according to the currents.
2. Volkswagen
Volkswagen Logos Then and Now
Exactly 83 years ago, the iconic car company Volkswagen was established in Germany — the literal translation of the company’s name is “the car of the people.” No surprises there, seeing how this was the time of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi regime, which was in full-swing back then. What’s more, the original logo was designed to resemble the symbol on the Nazi flag — the swastika.
Facts on historic logos reveal that the initial symbol also depicted a “Ginfaxi” — an ancient Nordic symbol (rune) known for granting victory in battles. Things started to take off for the company after World War II; with these changes came new adjustments to the logo, namely, the circle around it disappeared. Nevertheless, the logo continued to witness modifications until 2000, when new features, such as three-dimensional geometric shapes and more vivid color blends, were introduced.
Fun Facts
1959: Volkswagen’s “Think Small” advertisement campaign for the Beetle is one of the greatest print campaigns of all time.
Facts on famous logos with names reveal that the successful campaign reeled people in by claiming that even though the car’s engine is not the fastest, it is one of the most advanced ones out there. Also, the ads nicknamed Volkswagen simply as “VW,” which was an instant hit on the American market.
The Guinness world record for most people in a single Volkswagen Beetle is 57 people.
Even though the “Beetle” is famous for its compact size, it does not mean that it can’t fit more than a couple of people; in fact, a group of climbers broke the record by using up the entire cabin space. Logos of companies with names might seem unimaginative, but this brand attracted quite the attention; there were multiple attempts at breaking the record, such as the 2010 attempt of twenty students from Asbury University.
Volkswagen used to provide financial compensation for babies born inside a Beetle.
Although no one actually prefers giving birth in a car, mothers who did so (in a Beetle) were given savings bonds from the famous company. Unfortunately, nowadays, this practice is no longer valid.
3. Pepsi
Pepsi Logos Then and Now
Not many iconic brands show examples of vast logo changes, yet Pepsi is one of them. Originally known as “Brad’s Drink” in 1893, the company then changed its name to “Pepsi Cola” in 1898, and dropped the “Cola” from their famous red, white, and blue icon altogether in 1950. The typeface of the logo also saw minor changes since 1987 when the letter “s” in “Pepsi” became more circular shaped. Presently, the logo is nicknamed Pepsi Globe, and some claim that it resembles a sphere-like smile. In 2008, Arnell Group received $1,000,000 for redesigning the logo.
Fun Facts
Pepsi was the first company to introduce two-liter bottles to the market.
Facts on American logos reveal that one of the most significant years in Pepsi’s history was 1934 when the drink company debuted its 2-liter bottles in Baltimore. Most importantly, this move by the company helped Americans struggling during the Depression save on costs.
Pepsi became the first US product to be marketed and sold in the former Soviet Union.
An obscure deal was reported by the American newspapers in the 90s, claiming that the Soviet Union has come to a $3-billion-dollar agreement with Pepsi. Moreover, facts on popular logos and symbols show that Pepsi actually traded their delicious concentrate for Stolichnaya vodka for a long while!
Pepsi has been featured in several movies, including Back to the Future Part II (1989), Home Alone (1990), Wayne’s World (1992), Fight Club (1999), and World War Z (2013).
Product placement in movies is a new merchandising strategy for companies to reach more people than usual. Not only that but Pepsi has endorsed countless celebrities, such as Britney Spears, Pink, and Beyonce in the iconic gladiator-like commercial with Queen’s “We Will Rock You” song playing in the background.
4. Starbucks
Starbucks Logos Then and Now
Although the brand logos and names list is quite long and extensive, no coffee maker or retailer comes even close to being legendary as the company founded in 1971 — Starbucks. With the help of the ancient marine expert, Terry Heckler, the founders based their logo on the 16th-century image of a two-tailed mermaid. Eventually, in 1987, the designers came up with the idea to cover the mermaid’s breasts with her long hair. Presently, the company’s logo and brand still feature the original mermaid, albeit in a more simplified version.
Fun Facts
Starbucks donates old food.
In 2016, the famous coffee company started supporting America’s fight against monumental food waste by announcing a plan to donate all leftover food to charity. This way, no food would be thrown away and hungry American citizens would have something to eat.
Starbucks sold limited-edition gold cards with what was allegedly actual gold in 2013.
All types of logos with names come with their own obscure facts, and this one is especially “rich”: a few years back, the company managed to sell gold-colored Starbucks gift cards worth a whopping $450. Not only that but Starbucks also created exclusive cards made out of gold which were resold on eBay for up to $1,675!
Starbucks spends more on health care for employees than coffee beans every year.
The CEO of Starbucks, Howard Schultz, had to make some budget cuts in 2008 due to some past mistakes made by the company; still, he refused to decrease health care costs for the company’s employees, adding up to $300 million in total. Nonetheless, facts regarding the most popular logos show that Schultz had to fire employees and shut some 600 stores down to save up $600 million in costs.
5. Microsoft
Microsoft Logos Then and Now
The history of Microsoft’s logo began in 1975; it is generally believed to be the collaboration of Paul Allen and Bill Gates. The sources claim that the two developers used a computer language program called BASIC and that the logo was finished in a single day.
Now, based on facts on famous brands and logos, new emblems were made in 1980 and 1987. The present version of the company’s logo appeared in 2012 and it reflects Microsoft’s shift from a classic interface to a more modern one. Since 2015, the Microsoft logo has been using the Segoe font instead of Helvetica as the new font depicts Microsoft’s visual identity a lot better.
Fun Facts
Microsoft has a reputation for asking off-beat, off-the-wall questions during job interviews.
Facts on the most iconic logos reveal that people who wish to be interviewed by Microsoft have to be prepared for the unexpected; for instance, questions such as whether Batman or Spiderman would win a fight. Companies such as Microsoft and Google like using “curveballs” — questions that test the candidate’s ability to think both fast and creatively.
Microsoft is one of the largest corporate collectors of artworks with over 5,000 contemporary pieces including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photographs, ceramics, studio glass, and multimedia works.
According to facts on famous corporate logos, certain companies invest in different forms of art to boost and shape the image of the brand; it is generally perceived that art gives more personality and character to a business. Not only that but the artwork is also said to inspire workers and stimulate them intellectually.
The Microsoft Windows XP background “Bliss” is possibly the most viewed photo in history.
Yet another fact on famous brand logos you probably didn’t know: the photo by Charles O’Rear from 1996 has been viewed more than the iconic Mona Lisa! In fact, Bliss has been seen by over 1 billion individuals.
6. McDonald’s
McDonald’s Logos Then and Now
The fast-food giant, originally known for providing barbecue on its menu, opened its doors to the public in 1940. What’s more, the company’s famous golden arches made their debut in 1961 — they were inspired by the sketches made by Richard McDonald.
When talking about the best company logos, it’s hard not to mention McDonald’s breast-shaped golden arches. In fact, some even believe that this was a deliberate ploy to attract more visitors as the motherly symbol leaves subliminal messages on the subconscious mind.
Fun Facts
McDonald’s originally sold hot dogs, not hamburgers.
So, how come McDonald’s doesn’t sell hot dogs anymore? According to facts on brand logos, Ray Kroc, the distributor of Multimixers and franchise agent of the McDonald brothers, claimed in his autobiography that the mysterious meat products in the hot dogs did not live up to the standard of quality of the famous company.
Queen Elizabeth II owns a McDonald’s franchise.
According to sources, the Queen’s Crown Estate owns a McDonald’s restaurant on the outskirts of London, in Banbury Gateway Shopping Park. Facts on famous company logos show that although the Queen does not own the fast-food restaurant personally the franchise is part of a shopping center opened by the Crown Estate in 2016.
Bill Gates has a McDonald’s Gold Card for unlimited free fast food.
One of the proud owners of the “McGold Card,” which came into the spotlight during a Jimmy Kimmel Live show in 2015 when it was flashed by Rob Lowe, is none other than Bill Gates. However, these two are not the only ones holding onto these exclusive cards, the famous investor and billionaire Warren Buffet has one too.
7. Levi’s
Levi’s Logos Then and Now
One of the most fascinating old logos of famous companies belongs to the founders of Levi’s jeans — Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis. The duo first crafted an image of two horses attempting to tear a pair of jeans (to no avail) back in 1886. However, the signature red tab logo was first introduced to the public in 1936, and even today it is commonly referred to as “the batwing logo.”
Fun Facts
Levi Strauss & Co. introduced the first blue jeans for women.
According to facts on popular logos, the first-ever female jeans were created in 1934, sparking a huge controversy among the conservative society of the 30s and 40s who believed women do not belong in denim. Hence, not only were jeans a fashion statement but a political one as well.
The oldest pair of Levi’s jeans is located in a fireproof vault.
Originally, Levi’s jeans were manufactured for miners and laborers; the oldest pair of denim is currently stored in San Francisco. Not only that but they are worth around $150,000!
Levi Strauss & Co. gave $100 to the Chicago Relief Fund to help rebuild after the fire of 1871.
Levi’s is not only one of the most famous clothing logos but the brand is also notorious for its vast generosity; the company funded 28 scholarships at the Californian University. In addition, Strauss also gave money to California’s School for the Deaf.
8. Visa
Visa Logos Then and Now
The history of Visa’s logo began in 1958 when plastic cards called “BankAmericard” were introduced by the Bank of America. Also, the present card still has the famous three-color-pattern showcased in the initial card: a white background, blue font, and a touch of gold.
Our facts on iconic logos reveal that the electronic payment system came up with the name “VISA” only in 1976; despite this, some key elements of the design were already present — such as the blue representing the sky and the gold representing Californian dunes.
Fun Facts
Visa has been a regular sponsor of the Olympic Games since 1980.
Al Kelly claims that the Olympic Movement and the Olympic Games will continue to receive the support of the company through 2032, allowing the next generation of fans, clients, and athletes to get the most out of the Olympic experience. Also, facts on company logos reveal that Visa became a founding member of the Worldwide TOP Partner Programme in 1986.
Visa pays special attention to the aspect of security with its continuous monitoring system.
With the help of Visa’s anti-fraud detection system, users can rest assured that they will be notified if anyone attempts to use the card without their knowledge. To effectively keep up with suspicious activity, the company uses Visa Advanced Authorization, launched over a decade ago.
Visa clients include biggies like JPMorgan Chase.
News on brands and logos from 2019 revealed that the payments network market value rose to $348 billion, meaning that it surpassed JPMorgan Chase. In fact, Visa’s stock has skyrocketed by 1,500%.
9. Nestle
Nestle Logos Then and Now
The history of Nestle’s logo began in 1961 when the family coat of arms of the company’s founder, Henri Nestle, was first used as the original wordmark. Nowadays when asked “what are some popular logos,” Nestle surely comes to mind. The centerpiece of the logo was a bird on a nest, which kept being modified ‘till the present day. Initially, the logo featured three birds being fed, but in 1988, one of the baby birds (as well as the worm) was removed. The latest modification was in 1995, and the company aimed to make the logo simpler and more minimalistic.
Fun Facts
Ruth Wakefield, the inventor of chocolate chip cookies, gave the recipe to Nestlé in return for a lifetime supply of chocolate.
Facts on famous food logos reveal that Wakefield’s “Toll House Chocolate Crunch Cookie” was so popular in 1938 that her cookbook was sold out within a couple of days. When Nestle heard about this, they bought the rights to her recipe and the rights to utilize the Toll House name in future ads.
Nestle is one of L’Oreal’s main shareholders.
Nevertheless, the passing of Liliane Bettencourt raised the question of just how long the shareholder pact between Nestle and L’Oreal would last. Still, Nestle has not given any signs of potentially selling out.
Nestle’s global headquarters are in Switzerland.
More precisely, the company’s headquarters are located in Vevey. Not only that but facts surrounding this famous brand and its various logos also reveal that around one-third of their shareholders are, in fact, Swiss.
10. Audi
Audi Logos Then and Now
What are the most popular logos around the world? Well, the four interlocking rings of the car brand, Audi, certainly is one of them. The famous logo appeared nearly a quarter of a century after the founding of the company. However, the initial logo, introduced to the public back in 1909 only consisted of a triangle standing on one of the angles; also, the stylized exhaust pipe on the logo looked more like a locomotive pipe than a pipe of a car. Nowadays, the symbolism of the Audi rings is frequently a political matter; it is believed that the four rings represent the four automotive manufacturers that merged under a single brand — Audi.
Fun Facts
Audi has been conducting crash tests for over 75 years now.
Iconic logos bring for iconic stories! Namely, Audi has always put safety as their number one priority ever since the DKW engineers led a subcompact F7 downhill. Since then, Audi has been working on new safety features on a regular basis.
There are 36,520 stitches on the leather interiors of an Audi A8.
Not only is Audi famous for its innovative safety features but the company is also known for its great attention to detail; in fact, after production, each Audi R8 goes through an X-ray check.
Audis were the first cars to have LED headlights.
This luxury brand logo went into history as the first car (the R8 model) with light-emitting diode headlamps, turn indicators, and daytime running lights. What’s more, the car’s LED headlamp is the first of its kind.
11. Firefox
Firefox Logos Then and Now
Although the recent logo of the popular web browser is a lot simpler than its predecessors, it is still consistent with its previous imagery. Nevertheless, the 2002 logo did not display a red and orange fox, but rather a phoenix surrounded by flames.
As was the case with a plethora of old logos of famous companies, the initial commercial project was named “Phoenix,” which was later changed to “Firebird,” and later to “Mozilla Firebird.” The up-to-date logo depicts a fox, but not many are aware of the fact that it actually refers to a “firefox,” which is a red panda.
Fun Facts
Mozilla Firefox is open source and it is the only browser made by a not-for-profit, mission-driven organization.
The stories behind old logos of famous companies are usually that of progress and profit; but not for Firefox. This brand genuinely believes that human collaboration across a completely open platform is needed for a better future and individual growth. The Mozilla Foundation promotes innovation, opportunity, and openness on the web.
Firefox Developer Edition is the first browser designed specifically for developers.
The aim of the company is to deal with faulty development environments when targeting app stores or making new content. Hence, Firefox Developer Edition tries to streamline the user’s workflow.
Mozilla was recognized as the most trusted internet company for privacy.
Famous logos is not the only category we’d sort Firefox in; a survey conducted by the Ponemon Institute, including over 100,000 American consumers, revealed that out of all internet companies around the world, Mozilla was trusted the most.
12. Amazon
Amazon Logos Then and Now
There have been four logos in total throughout the history of Amazon, starting from 1995. The original one showcased a translucent “A” on a watery background with the words “Amazon.com, the Earth’s biggest bookstore” written underneath.
As is the case with other famous logos, the company’s latest logo remained largely unchanged since 2002, featuring a yellow arrow pointing from the “a” to “z.” According to sources, the developers wanted to symbolize the intention of selling all kinds of products on the planet, thus, they accentuated the first and the last letters of the alphabet.
Fun Facts
Bezos was never set on calling his new website Amazon. His first choices were actually “Cadabra,” as in the magician’s phrase “Abracadabra.”
Also, Bezos was considering naming Amazon, Relentless.com. Like many popular brand logos, the brand Amazon refers to a real-life thing — the world’s largest river.
Amazon.com boss Jeff Bezos is currently involved in a project to build a 10,000 year clock.
Sources claim that the clock is an icon for thinking long-term and its father is Danny Hillis. The chime generator of the clock creates a special bell-ringing sequence every day for the next couple of thousands of years.
According to a new book by Jeff Stone, in Amazon’s early days a bell would ring in the office every time someone made a purchase.
The brand with one of the most famous logos, Amazon, revealed that the above-mentioned book was the winner of the Goldman Sachs Business Book of the Year and that it was chosen as the top book of the year by Forbes, the Economist, and the Washington Post.
13. LEGO
LEGO Logos Then and Now
The private company which initially started with the production of toys made out of wood in 1932 used to have a plain black-and-white logo back in the days. Throughout the years, the company added the colors red and yellow to the emblem, and finally, in 1950, they made the “LEGO” logo round, the same year they started making toys made from plastic.
Today, it ranks among the 50 most recognized brand logos around the world and the current emblem has remained unaltered since 1998 when the company gave it a final “facelift” and made the colors brighter.
Fun Facts
LEGO bricks sold in just one year could circle the world 5 times.
Around 20 billion LEGO bricks are manufactured every year in Billund, or around 2 million bricks per hour. On average, there are 62 LEGO elements for each person on the planet.
The world’s children spend 5 billion hours a year playing with LEGO bricks.
The cool brand logos club is just the start. According to a math professor, there are more than 915 ways to combine six LEGO elements.
Approximately 440 billion LEGO elements have been manufactured since 1949.
The LEGO Group is the planet’s largest tire producer, with a production rate of 306 million tires yearly. What’s more, some 4 billion mini-figures have been produced.
14. Yahoo!
Yahoo! Logos Then and Now
Simplicity was a characteristic of the original Yahoo! logo; there were only black letters and there was no exclamation mark back in 1994. However, as was the case with many other popular brands and logos, Yahoo! decided to add the exclamation mark at the end of its name.
The latest design was created by the Pentagram agency and it features lowercase lettering in a thicker, bolder typeface. Also, the signature exclamation sign is in italics, making the logo seem more playful and fresh to the public.
Fun Facts
Yahoo was originally called “Jerry and David’s guide to the World Wide Web.”
However, Filo and Yang changed the name to Yahoo because they liked the word’s general definition. According to trivia on hidden messages in famous logos, the word “Yahoo” comes from Gulliver’s Travels by Jonathan Swift and it means uncouth, rude, and unsophisticated.
One of Yahoo’s highest acquisitions was Broadcast.com, which cost the company a reported $5.7 billion.
According to sources, the deal was meant to jump-start the business of sharing video and audio through the internet. Even though Broadcast.com was losing funds, it was leading in online video and audio broadcasting.
Yahoo rejected a $45 billion acquisition offer from Microsoft.
Even though Yahoo ranked as one of the best brand logos at the time, a combination of these two companies would have increased the “superior value” of its stock even more.
15. Apple
Apple Logos Then and Now
The original logo of the iconic Apple company in 1976 was called the “Newton Crest logo,” and it showed a scientist under an apple tree. Since it was more like a piece of art, Steve Jobs changed it to something more modern, a logo of an apple with rainbow stripes.
This made the logo memorable as it openly promoted the idea that people should be allowed to “think differently.” Many rank it as one of the world’s greatest and most popular company logos — the symbol of the apple goes back as far as the story of Adam and Eve who ate the apple from the tree of knowledge.
Fun Facts
A rare Apple-1 computer built in Steve Jobs’s garage in the summer of 1976 was sold at a 2014 auction for $905,000.
In total, there are 15 Apple-1 computers on the planet that are fully functional. Currently, it is the property of the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.
Apple recovered 2,204 pounds of gold from broken iPhones in 2015. That’s worth about $40 million.
This interesting trivia just goes to show why this brand sits at the top 50 logos of all time; they are not only smart but innovative as well.
Also, while silver is the best conductor of electricity, gold is the absolute favorite. Sources claim that Apple collected 23 million pounds of steel and 13 million pounds of plastic as well.
If you could’ve bought an iPhone in 1991 part by part, it would’ve cost you $3.56 million.
The iPhone was introduced in 2007 by Steve Jobs and he claimed that it outmatched every other mobile device on the market. In fact, he claimed that the device was 5 years ahead of its time.
16. Adidas
Adidas Logos Then and Now
The history of one of the most iconic logos of all time started in 1924 in Germany, when Adolf and Rudolf Dassler decided to start selling shoes. Adidas’s original logo showcased the surname of Adolf and Rudolf, and there was also a bird carrying a boot depicted under it. However, in 1949, the brothers split up and the company started using just “Adidas.” In 1971, the company added the iconic three stripes, which remained on the emblem ‘till this day.
Fun Facts
David Beckham signed a $160 million lifetime deal in 2003 as a brand ambassador.
Just like other iconic brand logos, Adidas was endorsed and worn by famous athletes, including Josh Smith, Tim Duncan, and Adam Morrison. Not only that but Adidas took Nike’s lead and successfully secured the best athletes to endorse the brand.
Adidas will void any endorsement deal they have with a player if it turns out that they have anything to do with Scientology.
According to Adidas, organizations such as Scientology directly clash with the company’s core values. Other noticeable deal-breakers include drugs and wearing a rival’s clothing item.
Adidas made Star Wars themed shoes.
One of the top 10 logo designs reveals fancy Adidas shoes featuring a large heel clip and an impressive stormtrooper on the tongue. Not only is it comfortable to wear but the futuristic metallic look is also quite stylish.
17. NASA
NASA Logos Then and Now
The iconic NASA logo nicknamed the “meatball” made its debut in 1959, and it was simplified to an emblem resembling a “seal.” However, frequently, the company uses one of three logos, the above-mentioned “meatball”, the “seal”, and “the worm.” The latter emblem was created in 1975 and it is called “the worm” because the bars from the “A” characters are missing. Nevertheless, it fits the group of worldwide famous logos.
Fun Facts
The space probe Voyager 2 was sent into space in 1977. It exited the heliosphere in late 2018.
The Voyager 2 is seen as the second spaceship to enter this interstellar place following its twin, Voyager 1. Also, Voyager 1 and Voyager 2 were both designed to locate and study the solar system’s edge.
A person can’t be recognized as an astronaut by NASA until they have traveled 50 miles from the surface of the earth.
When you are classified among the most popular logos in the world, you get to make your own rules. Currently, the world’s most famous astronaut is Yuri Gagarin — the first man to travel into space. Other big names include Alan B. Shepard Jr., Valentina Tereshkova, and the legendary Neil Armstrong.
Skylab, NASA’s first space station, was made out of a component of a Saturn V rocket during a time of NASA budget constraints. It launched unmanned in May 1973.
During its human occupation from 1973–1974, three crews visited Skylab and conducted research in the fields of astronomy and physics. The third crew lived in space for an impressive 84 days!
18. Walmart
Walmart Logos Then and Now
One of the most popular company logos for sure! Since the company’s inception, the logo of Walmart has always featured the company’s name at the center of the design. However, the first logo showcased the company’s original name, “Walton’s,” which was later changed to “Walmart” in 1962.
The colors of the letters changed as well, from red to blue, as well as the font. A distinctive alteration was made in 1992 when the hyphen in “Wal-Mart” was changed to a star. Nevertheless, facts on popular companies and their logos show that in 2008 the star disappeared from the middle and was put at the end of the company’s name.
Fun Facts
Since 2011, there have been at least 4 incidents of people cooking meth inside a Walmart store.
The time the police found a functioning meth lab in a Walmart store in Indiana was not the first of its kind; in late 2011, a woman was caught cooking the drug in a Walmart in Oklahoma.
The Walmart Museum is housed in Walton’s 5 & 10 in Bentonville, Arkansas, the first store to bear Sam Walton’s name.
Fun trivia on popular business logos reveals the building retained its original tiles on the floor and on the ceiling. Of course, admissions are free of charge.
Employee Rosaline Madrid gave birth in a Walmart store.
However, this was not the first case of babies being born in Walmart; in 2013 four newborns were brought to the world in different Walmart stores across the US.
19. KFC
KFC Logos Then and Now
The original Kentucky Fried Chicken logo was created in 1952 and it depicted the face of the chain’s founder, Colonel Sanders, in black and white. Nowadays it ranks as one of the most famous food logos across the globe; the most distinctive feature of the earlier logos, however, is the company’s full name on the emblem, which was changed to the popular KFC in 1991. Not only that but they added the signature red color to the logo, as well as the red stripes. The current logo, according to color psychology, is welcoming and bright, and it certainly evokes a feeling of hospitality.
Fun Facts
Only two people know the exact herb and spice blend for KFC’s Original Chicken.
According to trivia on logos of famous brands, before the final mix is made, the secret spice blend is shipped from a variety of locations. Fortunately, there are plenty of alternative versions of the recipe available on the web.
It is a Christmas tradition to eat in a KFC in Japan.
The successful marketing campaign in Japan from 1974 roughly translated to “Kentucky for Christmas!” drove hordes of Japanese people to order chicken for their Christmas dinner. The Japanese are so obsessed with KFC that they even have their own gigantic KFC in Tokyo!
The largest KFC restaurant in the world is in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Brands that have logos that are both popular and recognizable can afford to go crazy. Namely, the fast-food giant has a restaurant that is 1600 square meters large, housed in Baku’s Sabunchu rail station, constructed in 1926. The gigantic restaurant has room for 300 guests and is planning to sell around 1.5 million meals yearly.
20. Ford
Ford Logos Then and Now
One of the most famous car logos that did not make any significant changes is Ford; it retained its iconic round logo depicting the name “Ford” italicized since 1909. However the emblem only got its colors in 1912; in fact, the company was hesitant whether to choose blue or orange, but Ford went for blue as it signals aristocracy and good taste.
Fun Facts
When he was a young man, Henry Ford repaired watches for his friends and family.
Henry Ford was born in Michigan in 1863 and he has always had an interest in inventions and basic machines since he was a child. After his mother passed away, he was expected to take over the Ford farm which he did not find interesting.
Ford’s famous race car, the GT40, won the 24-hour race at Le Mans 4 times in a row.
Interesting trivia on logos of companies with names and taglines show that one of Henry Ford’s main goals was to create a car better than the Ferrari at le Mans. Eventually, the race finished 4:2 in favor of Ford.
Ford also owned a controversial newspaper, The Dearborn Independent.
The newspaper contained articles denouncing all things of Jewish origin for which Ford expressed his apology later on. Nevertheless, his Anti-Semitism offended many.
21. Google
Google Logos Then and Now
Google is the undisputed leader of the internet, and the stats show it. And yet, from its humble beginnings, its logo still stayed recognizable. The current logo’s prototype made an appearance in 1997, and since then, the logo has gone through several alterations and tweaks. Now, Google is one of those historic logos and brands that have become a word in their own right — in this case, for online searching.
Also, data shows that even though the size of the font changed a couple of times throughout the years, the colors stayed the same since 1998: two blue “g”-s, a red and yellow “o,” a green “l,” and a red “e.” The latest version of the logo was introduced to the public in 2015 and it is primarily made for users who have mobile devices with smaller screens.
Fun Facts
Google’s green initiative entails renting goats to “mow” the lawns of its mountain view HQ on a regular basis.
To create memorable tech company logos, you obviously need to think outside the box, as this ludicrous trivia goes to show. Nevertheless, the downside of this innovative and eco-friendly idea is that the lawn does not end up looking perfect. Also, goats require more food besides grass, so they may be a somewhat expensive option for the typical homeowner.
Private planes of Larry and Sergey have their own runways in NASA — no other planes are permitted to land there.
The flights by the Google executives account for 1% or less than the yearly air traffic at Moffett Field. Furthermore, there were 88 flights out of around 19,000 in 2007 exclusively for Google business.
Google’s very first storage rack was built out of Legos.
Famous brand logos trivia reveal that Larry Page and Sergey Brin built a Lego brick disk box in 1996 for their “Digital Library” project. This storage server later became the search engine of Google.
22. Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola Logos Then and Now
The iconic red handwritten logo of the world’s most popular fizzy beverage did not always look so attractive to consumers. In 1886, the company’s name was written in a plain black bold font with a dot. As the years went by, the logo became italicized and the border was removed. According to facts on famous brands and their logos, the company utilizes the appealing combination of white and red to symbolize optimism, purity, excellence, and youth.
Fun Facts
“Taste the Feeling” is the 47th major advertising slogan Coca-Cola has introduced through the years.
For over 130 years, the company has come up with new slogans, packaging, and logos. Although some strategies did not succeed, Coca-Cola still remains on the number 13th spot on the BrandZ list of the best brands and the most iconic logos of all time.
Coca-Cola was the first soft drink in space.
In fact, Coca-Cola managed to be in space for eight hours, or until the astronauts finally opened a Pepsi as well. Speaking of which, the second soft drink to be opened in space was Pepsi.
During its early days, Coca-Cola had cocaine in it.
The company named it’s brand Coca-Cola after two of its main ingredients, kola nuts, and coca leaf extracts.
23. Warner Bros
Warner Bros Logos Then and Now
Since 1923, the iconic entertainment company changed its logo up to 13 times and created more than 200 different variations to be displayed in films (such as Batman or Harry Potter). However, facts on logos in popular culture revealed that the logo has recently been optimized to boost performance across different scales and platforms; from tiny spaces to huge installations such as the famous water tower on the studio lot of Warner Bros. The current logo remains blue, but the brightness has been tweaked to a hue which is more contemporary.
Fun Facts
Warner Bros was the first American film studio to introduce the “talking picture” (in 1927).
In fact, the name of the first talkie is The Jazz Singer, starring Al Jolson as Jakie Rabinowitz. Although it is mostly silent, the movie contains the famous lines: “Wait a minute, wait a minute. You ain’t heard nothin’ yet!”; that day the Warner Bros’ logo entered the history books of iconic logos.
Warner Bros’ longtime vice president, Jack Warner, took the reins in 1956 when he became the company’s president and largest stockholder.
Nevertheless, Warner retired in 1972. During this time, the Warner Brothers went through different corporate changes and had branched out into book publishing, and television programming by the 1970s.
The studio discovered a trained German Shepherd named Rin Tin Tin in 1923.
Trivia on famous logos claims that Rin Tin Tin had to act like a wolf numerous times as it was much easier for the directors to work with a dog than an actual wolf. Sadly, the German Shepherd passed away in 1932.
24. Instagram
Instagram Logos Then and Now
Known as one of the most famous American logos around the world, Instagram had logos come and go over the years, yet all of them were based on the shape of the signature instant camera. The first logo was introduced in 2010 and it went through alterations around a year later; it was primarily inspired by the Bell and Howell camera from the fifties. Nevertheless, the current Instagram logo featuring the outlines of the same camera was introduced to users in 2016.
Fun Facts
Kevin Systrom was the first person to post a photo on Instagram.
The first Instagram picture belongs to the co-founder and CEO of the social network, Kevin Systrom, and it depicts a photo of a dog next to a taco stand in Mexico. Presentlfy, more than 80 million pictures are shared on Instagram daily.
The world record for the most-liked post belongs to a photo of an egg.
Instagram is one of those famous logos with names that has the best trivia. Namely, the photo of an egg surpassed the previous record-holder, Kylie Jenner, with 18 million likes on the photo where she announced the birth of her baby in 2018. Several hashtags appeared as a support for the egg photo, such as #LikeTheEgg and #EggGang.
The most used Instagram filters in the world are Juno, Gingham, and Clarendon.
Clarendon adds light to already light areas and darkness to dark areas of the photo; it is great for making existing shadows look bolder. Moreover, the popularity of Lark and Moon does not disappoint either.
25. Mercedes
Mercedes Logos Then and Now
The star is a popular symbol of the brand Mercedes; it was largely inspired by an image in Gottlieb Daimler’s home. Throughout the years, this car brand and its logo acquired a more semantic meaning: the three rays were considered a sign of perfection and were linked with three main elements — air, land, and water. Moreover, when we look at old logos of famous companies we notice the same pattern: the old, stylized image of a steering wheel got a new “coat of paint” and a more three-dimensional look which was constantly updated from 1989 onwards; also, the latest changes were made back in 2009.
Fun Facts
Karl Benz had the first-ever driver’s license.
Records show that the first driving license was issued in New Jersey in 1913. Back then, the drivers did not have to pass any driving examinations to attain their license.
Karl Benz arguably invented the world’s first car.
Out of all the luxury brand logos, Mercedes stands out as the brand that “gave birth” to the modern car; the “birth certificate of the car” is believed to be number 37435, the patent applied by Carl Benz in early 1886.
26. Sony
Sony Logos Then and Now
One of the most consistent company logos ever belongs to Sony, known for its pictureless typographic wordmark. The original author of the plain black and white emblem from 1957 was designer Yasuo Kuroki. Nowadays, the typeface that comes closest to the one depicted on the logo is Clarendon. Most importantly of all, though, the Sony logo is simple, clean, elegant, and timeless.
Fun Facts
In 1955, Sony launched the first transistor radio, the TR-55.
Interesting facts on famous logos and brands show that almost a month later, the company started selling the less popular TR-2K radio transistor kit as well. In fact, the TR-2K was the country’s original transistor radio kit.
Sony received the first-ever Emmy awarded to a Japanese company for developing the Trinitron color TV system.
In 1989, the company bought Columbia Pictures for over 3 billion dollars and moved into Hollywood. In 1991, the company was renamed to Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Sony employees gave the company’s founders a golden Guinea pig.
Ibuka, the co-founder admitted in a radio interview that the spirit of the guinea pig was the embodiment of innovative ideas. Hence, Sony does not only top the list of iconic logos but it also has its own spirit animal to guide the company to success.
27. Discovery Channel
Discovery Channel Logos Then and Now
The Discovery Channel’s original logo was inspired by the shape of the television back in the days, and it was squared. In addition, there was a flattened colorless globe and the name “The Discovery Channel” depicted under the image. In 1987, the company’s logo was altered and the confined globe was depicted outside of the box. Facts on famous logos show that since the year 2000, the logo became more unique and stylized.
Fun Facts
David M. Zaslav is the president and chief executive officer of Discovery Inc., a position he has held since January 2007.
Under Zaslav’s leadership, the company became a Fortune 500 in 2014. Most recently, the company got Scripps Network Interactive in a highly successful transaction closed in 2018.
Shark Week was broadcast in 1987 for the first time and has aired every year since then.
Speaking of memorable logos, the programming attracted an amazing 34.9 million viewers in 2018! Meaning the fans of Shark Week could now enjoy their favorite logo while watching over 20 hours of programming, including films about scary shark encounters!
Discovery Communications is the sponsor of Discovery Times Square, a museum in New York City’s Times Square.
The captivating museum features Leonardo Da Vinci’s Workshop; the Titanic; the Artifact Exhibition, as well as King Tut and the Pompeii Exhibition.
28. Twitter
Twitter Logos Then and Now
Believe it or not, the iconic Twitter bird was not always a part of the company’s logo. Facts on famous company logos show that the signature creature, also called “Larry Bird” was introduced in 2010. The up-to-date logo still showcases the bird, renamed the “Twitter Bird,” but the company’s name is no longer a part of the emblem. One of the most important concepts the social network relies on is the golden ratio or the perfect proportions of the bigger and smaller circles.
Fun Facts
Co-founder Dorsey sent the first tweet on March 21, 2006, which said: “just setting up my twttr.”
Four days following his first tweet, Dorsey shared on Flickr that he is happy that the idea has taken root. Also, facts on one of the most popular company logos show that Dorsey admitted that some things are well worth the wait.
The first tweet from outer space was posted by an astronaut from the International Space Station on January 22, 2010.
The first tweet from space was posted by flight engineer T.J. Creamer from the International Space Station. Not only that, but he started the tweet with a charming “Hello Twitterverse!”.
The top hashtag on Twitter in 2011 was #Egypt thanks to the revolution there and Hosni Mubarak’s resignation.
Trivia on logos of famous brands shows that the reference to the beginning of the uprising of Egypt became the eighth most popular hashtag on January 25th. In 2011, #jan25 and #egypt appeared among the top eight most popular hashtags.
29. Fiat
Fiat Logos Then and Now
Certainly, one of the greatest European names in the automotive arena goes to Fiat, known for its red and shiny emblem which dates back to 1899. Previously, the Fiat logo showcased the letters F, I, A, T with a silver line seen in-between every letter. In fact, one may even say that the Fiat Symbol represents a shield. Facts on popular logos from 2018 show that the present-day logo was inspired by the iconic Fiat cars from 1932–1968 known for their shield-like characteristics. Also, the vertically elongated font and the red background evokes feelings of elegance and quality.
Fun Facts
The original Fiat 500, introduced in 1957, was one of the world’s smallest production cars.
The innovative Fiat car was considered a “city car,” designed for the heavily populated urban areas. Another great example is the Mini Cooper.
2013 FIAT 500 models accomplished an impressive 31 miles per gallon in the city and an amazing 40 MPG on the highway.
Not only does Fiat have one of the best brand logos but it also has the 500 Turbo that features a 135-horsepower version of the regular 500’s 1.4-liter cylinder of 4 liters. Hence, one can say that the 500 Turbo may even compete with the Hyundai Veloster and the Mini Cooper.
When Mussolini came to power in Italy, Fiat had to abandon many of its plans for an international presence.
Nevertheless, this was an opportunity for Fiat to focus on producing vital equipment for the market in Italy. Fiat responded with innovative designs and the latest technology for both trucks and other commercial vehicles.
30. Samsung
Samsung Logos Then and Now
Last but not least comes the brief history of one of the most popular logos, the Samsung logo, known for staying consistent in its form and shape for years. In fact, the most unique element of the logo used to be a three-star pattern, reflecting the origin of Samsung’s name, meaning “tri-star” in Korean. However, the Samsung logo has not always been blue; it drastically changed its appearance in 1980 and let go of its plain, black and red look. Since 2005, the logo has not been altered; likewise, both logos are — with and without the ellipse.
Fun Facts
Samsung installed 34 electrical car charging ports in its Silicon Valley headquarters that staff members can use for free.
Being a brand with one of the most iconic logos, Samsung had to protect its ingenuity. Namely, the Silicon Valley underwent over 144 hours of delays in traffic in 2016. Luckily, the company’s headquarters in San Jose boosts office collaboration by featuring indoor sky pocket parks and a central atrium.
Samsung has a military branch producing jet engines, robots, and howitzers.
The development of the 155 mm/52-caliber howitzers had begun in 1989, whereas the first prototype was tested in 1996. Another interesting piece of trivia on popular logos and brands shows that the Korean Government awarded Samsung Aerospace Industries for its new K9 artillery system in 1998.
Samsung claimed its Galaxy customers don’t have the right to sue the company for fire-related damages by Samsung phones.
Despite the awareness of outstanding thermal issues, the company continued to increase the power of its large-format phone’s battery. Even though users cannot sue the company for fire-related damages, they can resolve claims via arbitration in private lawsuits.
FAQs
What are the top 10 most recognized brands?
According to a famous brand consultancy company — Interbrand — the world’s most iconic brands of 2019 are the following: Apple (brand value of $234.2 million), Google ($167.7 million), and Amazon ($125 million). The latter seven include Microsoft, Coca-Cola, Samsung, Toyota, Mercedes-Benz, McDonald’s, and Disney. Even though Disney comes in last with a brand value of $44.3 million, its value has grown by 11% in 2018 alone.
What are logos worth?
Individuals wanting to establish or start their own businesses need to have a professional-looking logo; not only does it increase awareness and creates trust, but it also builds an emotional attachment by bringing in new customers. It is estimated that a reasonable price for a logo design starts at around $100. Furthermore, the price of more complex designs can range anywhere between $400 to $700. Nevertheless, an intricate logo can even cost over $1,000!
What makes a strong brand logo?
When creating a strong logo, designers need to be aware of six easy criteria; firstly, it must reflect the core values and beliefs of the brand to help create an identity; secondly, it has to be memorable, yet simple; thirdly, make sure that the logo is timeless and will last over many decades. Yet another important criterion is the color; colors like charcoal, black, and red look extremely strong. Lastly, a strong logo needs to be functional and appropriate.
Final Thoughts
In sum, famous logos like Coca-Cola or Starbucks have been with us for years, yet they still evoke feelings of freshness, hospitality, and strength. A company’s logo is not only a symbol that appears alongside the brand but is also a visual representation of the company’s core values and fundamental beliefs. If you enjoyed reading this article, please leave a comment and remember to share it with friends!