Timelines
The Oldest Logos That Are Still in Use Today
Logos are powerful – they convey the entire essence and history of a brand within a single image. It is truly incredible to imagine how a designer can shape the entire legacy of a brand with their creations! While some company logos undergo immense transformations with the changing times, some stay true to their roots, maintaining imagery that resonates for generations. At Chartistry, we love learning about the history of design and marketing, so we were thrilled to discover this chart by ImageRelay. It explores the oldest logos that still exist today, dating all the way back to 1366.
Click below to zoom
It is fascinating to see how many of the logos underwent style changes but still maintained distinctive core elements – I love a brand that stays true to its story! So the oldest logo that still exists today belongs to Stella Artois, a Belgium beer company. It began as just the horn, but now sports an elegant banner. What is the horn on Stella Artois? The horn represents the Den Hoorn brewery in Leuven, Belgium, where Stella Artois traces its origins. In 1366, Stella Artois was a special brew given by the brewery as a holiday gift to the people of Leuven. The name “Stella”, which means “star” in Latin, pays homage to that special occasion. The name “Artois” honors the De Hoorn Bew Master Sebastian Artois. Learning about the history of logos can be so fun, especially when they have protected the very elements that have defined the brand from the beginning.