Logos

Before 1955, you had to watch the boiling water yourself — look away for a second, and it would spill over. Russell Hobbs solved this problem by releasing the K1 — the world’s first electric kettle with automatic shut-off. The new product quickly conquered British kitchens and then the entire world. What seemed like a simple innovation became a true household revolution and marked the beginning of the smart appliance era no one had even dreamed of.

The Coca-Cola logo is often called the most recognizable in the world. Research by Nielsen, Interbrand and YouGov shows that people across the globe instantly recognize the signature Spencerian lettering. This visual style has been used since the late 19th century, and over the decades it has become part of global culture: the brand is present in more than 200 countries, and its logo is considered one of the key icons of world marketing.

The Nike logo — the famous “Swoosh” — was designed in 1971 by design student Carolyn Davidson. She received only $35 for her work. Co-founder Phil Knight admitted that he didn’t particularly like the logo, but that he would “get used to it over time.” Later, when Nike became a successful brand, Carolyn received a gold ring with the logo and company shares in gratitude, which made her a millionaire.

The first Apple logo, depicting Newton under an apple tree, was created in 1976 by company co-founder Ronald Wayne. However, in 1977, the now-famous bitten apple logo appeared, designed by graphic designer Rob Janoff. Rob received about $500 for his work — and no royalties, even though the logo became one of the most recognizable in the world.

In 1969, the Spanish artist Salvador Dalí, at the request of Chupa Chups founder Enric Bernat, sketched the idea for the future logo on a newspaper page in less than an hour during a lunch meeting. That was when the famous yellow flower shape with the brand name in the center first appeared. The image proved so successful that it became the basis of the Chupa Chups logo and has remained part of the brand for more than half a century.