Mazda LOGO History
12-05-2006, 05:38 PM
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Mazda LOGO History
Found this info on the History of Mazda's LOGO's from a club site.....
You are probably more than familiar with the Mazda ‘winged’ logo on the front and back of your Mazda, thought you might be interested to see how it has evolved over the decades.
It all began way back in 1934 when the ‘Mazda’ logo became the registered trademark when production began on Mazda’s three wheel trucks. The name ‘Mazda’ represented a combination of Ahura-Mazda, the name of an ancient Persian god of light, and Mr. Jujiro Matsuda, founder of the Mazda Corporation.
In 1936 the logo moved away from a typographical representation of the company, to much more of an emblem. This was very similar to the emblem of Hiroshima City, and represented the very strong links between Mazda and its birthplace. The ‘M’ shape formed in the middle of the logo represents Mazda, with the image of the wings to either side showing Mazda’s agility, speed and capability of soaring to new heights.
In 1959 Mazda produced its first passenger cars, and so the classic ‘M’ logo was produced to reflect this. An archetypal logo of its era, the first model to wear the new logo was the Mazda R360.
Then in 1975 Mazda introduced its new CIS (Corporate Identity System) and with it, another logo redesign, reflecting the decade completely!
1991 saw the next incarnation, with the shape symbolising the characteristics of wings, sun and a circle of light.
Finally on June 12th 1997 the logo that you will have on your Mazda came to life - the ‘wings’ or ‘owl’ logo. This was designed to represent Mazda’s brand image around the world and to enhance Mazda’s brand presence. Developed by world renowned corporate image-make, Rei Yoshimara, it’s a move on from the Mazda ‘M’ with a distinctive ‘V’ shape in the centre which is symbolic of the company stretching its wings.
You are probably more than familiar with the Mazda ‘winged’ logo on the front and back of your Mazda, thought you might be interested to see how it has evolved over the decades.
It all began way back in 1934 when the ‘Mazda’ logo became the registered trademark when production began on Mazda’s three wheel trucks. The name ‘Mazda’ represented a combination of Ahura-Mazda, the name of an ancient Persian god of light, and Mr. Jujiro Matsuda, founder of the Mazda Corporation.
In 1936 the logo moved away from a typographical representation of the company, to much more of an emblem. This was very similar to the emblem of Hiroshima City, and represented the very strong links between Mazda and its birthplace. The ‘M’ shape formed in the middle of the logo represents Mazda, with the image of the wings to either side showing Mazda’s agility, speed and capability of soaring to new heights.
In 1959 Mazda produced its first passenger cars, and so the classic ‘M’ logo was produced to reflect this. An archetypal logo of its era, the first model to wear the new logo was the Mazda R360.
Then in 1975 Mazda introduced its new CIS (Corporate Identity System) and with it, another logo redesign, reflecting the decade completely!
1991 saw the next incarnation, with the shape symbolising the characteristics of wings, sun and a circle of light.
Finally on June 12th 1997 the logo that you will have on your Mazda came to life - the ‘wings’ or ‘owl’ logo. This was designed to represent Mazda’s brand image around the world and to enhance Mazda’s brand presence. Developed by world renowned corporate image-make, Rei Yoshimara, it’s a move on from the Mazda ‘M’ with a distinctive ‘V’ shape in the centre which is symbolic of the company stretching its wings.
12-05-2006, 05:41 PM
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1997
12-05-2006, 11:49 PM
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Seems odd they replaced the 1991 logo but kept the 1975, which looks much more dated IMO.
I actually miss the "toilet bowl" logo, perhaps because it reminds me of the FD.
I actually miss the "toilet bowl" logo, perhaps because it reminds me of the FD.
12-06-2006, 02:08 PM
#13
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Yep, MazdaManic and Tirminyl you are correct...
Renault did "complain" about the new Logo and was soon changed.
I remember the 1975 Logo and MAZDA name design along with the "Corporate Identity System" design policy and procedures folder that was issued to all dealers and distributors, detailing how every dealerships signage, stationery, paint colors, and preferred design image should look.
I think the 1975 'MAZDA' name still retains a modern design today, what would you change it to, I think people identify with it and the 1997 winged logo.
Renault did "complain" about the new Logo and was soon changed.
I remember the 1975 Logo and MAZDA name design along with the "Corporate Identity System" design policy and procedures folder that was issued to all dealers and distributors, detailing how every dealerships signage, stationery, paint colors, and preferred design image should look.
I think the 1975 'MAZDA' name still retains a modern design today, what would you change it to, I think people identify with it and the 1997 winged logo.
Last edited by ASH8; 12-06-2006 at 02:12 PM.
12-06-2006, 02:23 PM
#14
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We also had "Mazda" brand globes for Home and industrial used years ago...
Mazda Globes were not related in any way to Mazda cars they were made by GE.
Ahura Mazda God Of Light
On December 21, 1909, General Electric first used the name Mazda on their lamps. The name was trademarked, and assigned the number 77,779 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Today, we associate the name with automobiles, but when it was first used by GE it was chosen to represent the best that the American lighting industry had to offer at the time, and was selected due to the fact that Persian mythology gave the name Ahura Mazda to the god of light.
Mazda Globes were not related in any way to Mazda cars they were made by GE.
Ahura Mazda God Of Light
On December 21, 1909, General Electric first used the name Mazda on their lamps. The name was trademarked, and assigned the number 77,779 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Today, we associate the name with automobiles, but when it was first used by GE it was chosen to represent the best that the American lighting industry had to offer at the time, and was selected due to the fact that Persian mythology gave the name Ahura Mazda to the god of light.
Last edited by ASH8; 12-06-2006 at 02:32 PM.
12-07-2006, 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by j_tso
They should bring back their old "M" logo used in the RXs. It looks like the 1959 one, but it's inside a trochoid rotor
like this
http://www.mazdatrix.com/pictures/p/oldsch2.JPG
like this
http://www.mazdatrix.com/pictures/p/oldsch2.JPG
01-12-2007, 07:04 AM
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01-14-2007, 12:10 AM
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Any idea where I can get a high resolution picture of the 1959 emblem? I really like that one. Also, a link to where I could buy that keychain from? That thing is sick looking...
01-15-2007, 12:21 AM
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Originally Posted by ASH8
We also had "Mazda" brand globes for Home and industrial used years ago...
Mazda Globes were not related in any way to Mazda cars they were made by GE.
Ahura Mazda God Of Light
On December 21, 1909, General Electric first used the name Mazda on their lamps. The name was trademarked, and assigned the number 77,779 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Today, we associate the name with automobiles, but when it was first used by GE it was chosen to represent the best that the American lighting industry had to offer at the time, and was selected due to the fact that Persian mythology gave the name Ahura Mazda to the god of light.
Mazda Globes were not related in any way to Mazda cars they were made by GE.
Ahura Mazda God Of Light
On December 21, 1909, General Electric first used the name Mazda on their lamps. The name was trademarked, and assigned the number 77,779 by the United States Patent and Trademark Office.
Today, we associate the name with automobiles, but when it was first used by GE it was chosen to represent the best that the American lighting industry had to offer at the time, and was selected due to the fact that Persian mythology gave the name Ahura Mazda to the god of light.
01-15-2007, 04:36 AM
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Interesting history lesson. The name now makes more sense. Mazda is not a typical Japanese name that you could write in Hiragana. Had it been Mazada, then you could. Now to try and figure out Nissan. LOL.
01-15-2007, 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by PhreakdOut
Mazda is not a typical Japanese name that you could write in Hiragana.
In Japan, Mazda is written as MA tsu DA and pronounced as Matsda. It is written in katakana, not hiragana.
Last edited by dynamho; 01-15-2007 at 11:25 AM.