What Company Logos Looked Like When They Were Young
Updated: Feb. 27, 2019The Microsoft logo beefed up, the Apple logo stripped down, and McDonald's used to be a "famous barbeque." You decide whether these famous company logos changed for the better, or worse.
Yahoo!
Like a persnickety bride before her wedding, Yahoo! Inc. tried 30 new looks for 30 days in a row before settling on the clean purple getup you see here. The logo redesign is tame compared to some other contenders, sticking close to the company’s original 1994 design. You’ll also have fun learning the quirky secret messages hidden in famous company logos.
Starbucks
Similar to Microsoft, Starbucks removed its name from its green logo. That doesn’t mean it lacks a good story, though. Have you ever noticed this hidden detail in the Starbucks logo?
Apple Inc.
It’s hard to imagine that Apple, a leader in the minimalist space, used to have such a busy logo.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s went from touting its barbeque to boasting about its exemplary customer service. Don’t miss these 75 mind-blowing facts about McDonald’s.
National Broadcasting Company
We all know the news can be a bit doom and gloom. But this old NBC label takes things to a whole new level.
Burger King
BK’s original logo paid homage to its “Burger King” character. You’ll never guess what these popular brands are called in other countries.
AT&T
The “long distance telephone” logo was a trademark of Bell System, one of the precursors to AT&T. Check out these company names that you didn’t know had secret meanings.
General Electric
GE has clung to its roots with its cursive letters. You may know GE stands for General Electric, but find out what these common acronyms you see all the time actually mean.
Mercedes-Benz
After more than a century in business, Mercedes Benz decided an ironic logo could represent them just as well as their name.
IKEA
The Swedish retailer chose bright yellow and blue for its new-and-improved logo. By the way, IKEA is just one of the company names you’re actually pronouncing wrong.
Walt Disney
Walt Disney simplified their name and converted their formerly golden logo in to a classic black. Learn the 23 secrets Disney employees won’t tell you.
Amazon
Before Amazon was one of the biggest online destinations in the world, Jeff Bezos, its owner, used the platform to sell books out of his garage. Don’t miss the fascinating story of what Amazon was almost called.
Reader’s Digest
The Reader’s Digest logo has undergone quite a few changes since the magazine launched in 1922. And while the magazine title is fairly self-explanatory, you’ll want to learn the fascinating origins of 14 famous company names.