Some logos seem to change every few years, but others have been around for what feels like forever. This article is about the oldest logos in the world that have stood the test of time.
Twinings (1787)
The honorable first place goes to the English tea company, whose crest logo has been continuously used in almost unchanged form for over 230 years. The logo’s design features a simple, elegant typeface with a golden lion crest above it. It symbolizes quality and consistency. By the way, Twinings has managed to preserve not only its logo but also its very first shop, which has been located on London’s Strand since 1706.
Shell (1904 )
The history of the oil giant Shell began with the sale of exotic shells and other colonial goods in an antique shop. Marcus Samuel’s company imported these goods from India, and at some point, his ships started transporting kerosene to India.
Initially, the company’s logo featured a mussel shell. However, in 1904, it was replaced by a more “photogenic” scallop.The image of the shell on the logo gradually changed in line with graphic fashion, until it became the geometric and simple design we see today. If you are interested in simple yet really cool logos, check out the logos of online casinos for Kiwis. I have found them pretty cool.
Johnson & Johnson (1904)
Currently, Johnson & Johnson is primarily known for its body care products. However, this wasn’t always the case; at one time, J&J was one of the leading companies in medicine.
The Johnson & Johnson logo is based on the handwriting of one of the founders, James Wood Johnson. Initially, it more closely resembled a hand-written inscription with a pen, but in the 1950s it was “softened” to align with the company’s reorientation towards products for children.
Heinz (1869)
The Heinz “57 varieties” logo is pretty cool. It showcases the brand’s long history of making condiments. They first introduced it back in 1869, and although it’s had a few updates since then, it always keeps the “57” which is like Heinz’s signature now. That logo sticking around for so long just goes to show how much they’ve always focused on quality and flavor.
Lavazza (1895)
Lavazza, one of Italy’s favorite coffee brands. It has used its logo since 1895. The most recognizable feature of the Lavazza logo is the steaming cup of coffee. It has been a central element for many years. This image suggests the warmth and inviting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. But it also symbolizes the company’s focus on providing a high-quality coffee experience. Over the years, the logo has undergone several redesigns to keep it fresh and contemporary.
Boots (1883 год)
The emblem of the British pharmacy chain Boots is an example of a logo that has remained almost unchanged over its more than a century-long history. This pharmacy empire (which includes 2,500 Boots pharmacies in Great Britain and Ireland) started in 1849 with a small medicinal herb shop by John Boot in Nottingham. The logo was designed in 1883 by the founder’s son, Jesse Boot. Incidentally, it was at Boots that ibuprofen, a popular anti-inflammatory drug, was invented in 1961.
Guinness (1862 год)
The famous harp appeared on the very first label of an Irish beer brand. It is a specific object, one of the national symbols of Ireland, the medieval “Brian Boru’s harp,” now kept at Trinity College in Dublin.
Guinness registered the image of this harp as its trademark in 1876. Therefore, when the Irish Free State was proclaimed in 1922, the harp on the coat of arms and coins had to be turned to face left.
Colgate (1896)
Colgate’s early logo from 1896 features the script that is still part of the brand’s identity today. While the design has been modernized, the core elements remain unchanged. They reflect Colgate’s longstanding commitment to oral health and personal care products.
Levi Strauss & Co. (1886)
The Levi’s logo, with its distinctive batwing design, was introduced in 1886. It encapsulates the classic American spirit of independence and ruggedness. The red tab attached to the garment with the logo is particularly iconic, a symbol of quality and originality that has appealed to generations of denim wearers worldwide.
Sherwin Williams (1905 )
Its logo almost literally depicts the company’s motto, “We will cover the whole world.”
The Sherwin-Williams logo has hardly changed since 1905, despite active criticism from environmentalists and the design community. Indeed, the image of the Earth drenched in paint from a can looks quite surreal today. Despite ongoing criticism, the company has no plans to redesign its logo. On the contrary, it takes pride in its century-long history.
Bass Ale (1876)
The logo of the English brewery Bass is not only one of the oldest in the world, but it was also fortunate to become the first registered trademark in Great Britain. This happened thanks to the perseverance of a company employee who stood all New Year’s Eve in 1876 outside the doors of the registration office. The next morning, when the Trade Marks Act came into effect, he was naturally first in line to receive the registration certificate.
John Deere (1876)
Just a fun fact about the John Deere logo: it’s had this leaping deer symbol since 1876, and it’s pretty much a stamp of quality for farm equipment. They’ve tweaked the design over the years to keep it fresh, but the deer has always stayed front and center. It really captures the whole vibe of agility, reliability, and innovation in their machinery. Pretty cool, right?
Peugeot (1850)
The lion on an arrow became the symbol of the company back when the Peugeot brothers were millers, producing saws and other cutting tools. In those days, they compared the strength of their products to the strength of lion’s teeth.
The company transitioned from saws to bicycles, and from bicycles to cars. The lion was already adorning the very first three-wheeled and steam-powered “Serpollet-Peugeot.” But, of course, the most beautiful were the lions on the hoods of Peugeot cars in the 30s to 50s of the last century.
These logos really stick with us over the years. They’re like a bridge between the past and the present. They aren’t just about selling a product; they’re about a legacy of trust, quality, and excellence that keeps connecting with people, no matter the generation.In this crazy fast world, having something constant and familiar like these logos feels reassuring, right?