From 1903 to now, Ford’s iconic logo has evolved with the design of one of America’s most beloved vehicles. Not only are Ford’s logo designs a representation of its founder, Henry Ford, but they’re also etched with historic implications of the times.

Logos are a signature—a stamp of pride promoting the engineering, design, and service attached to a vehicle that carries people through their daily lives. While the

Ford

logo is undeniably recognizable wherever you go, the current version is a far cry from where it started.

We’re breaking down notable years for the Ford logo, the mechanics behind its design, and more—so keep reading!

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Why do cars have logos?

When you see a car, you might not be able to identify its manufacturer by its style alone. Logos set the tone for a manufacturer’s brand, characteristics, and contributions to the auto world. American car logos were inspired by livestock branding, but the concept of placing an identifying mark on an animal or object began with the ancient Egyptians.

The goal of a logo is to build recognition and a visual association between consumers and the manufacturer of the vehicle. Logos represent the people behind the brand, and they embody the history surrounding each iteration of the design.

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History of the Ford logo

Henry Ford founded the Ford Motor Company in 1903 when the budding brand’s logo was green and embroidered—a contrast to the clean, blue logo you know now.

The logo was initially used in business correspondence, and it wasn’t applied to the Ford’s Model A. While it has been widely believed that the logo was solely a depiction of Henry Ford’s signature, it was a design crafted by Ford’s first designer and chief engineer, Childe Harold Willis.

Willis’s design was first displayed on Ford models in 1907. For 24 years, the embroidered emblem with extra text donned the vehicles, until the design was revised in 1927. Although the logo has undergone alterations since 1927, its overall shape has remained similar to the version you see today.

Ford logo changes through time

While there have been tweaks over the years, there were seven notable updates made to the Ford logo from 1903 until now. Here’s how the Ford logo has evolved throughout history.

1903: The original logo was artsy, embellished, and covered in green. There was more text included, with the words “Ford Motor Co., Detroit, MICH.” on display.

1906: The “F” and “D” on the Ford logo were turned up a notch with a “winged script” inspired by calligraphy. This version of the script was used up until 1910.

1907: The iconic oval was introduced by British agents Perry, Schreiber, and Thornton, noting that it represented the “epitome of reliability and economy.”

1911: To identify dealerships in Great Britain, Ford combined the oval with the Ford inscription for the first time.

1912: For a brief blip of time, the logo departed from an oval to a triangle. The shape was meant to symbolize “lightness, speed, stability, and grace.”

1927: The newest Ford Model A was the first model to don the deep royal blue emblem on its radiator, most closely representing the shape and color you know today.

1976 to present: Minor changes have been made to Ford’s logo since 1976, but it’s largely remained an oval emblem with a royal blue backdrop and a silver lining.

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What’s behind the Ford logo design?

The Ford logo was never intended to be a shiny hood ornament. Three key elements influenced the logo’s design, including:

The emblem: Etched in white and blue, Henry Ford’s signature wrapped in a flat, oval shape has been the foundation of the famous logo for decades.

The font: With inspiration from Henry Ford’s iconic John Hancock, the fonts Neville Regular and Fabiola Script have been most widely used in Ford’s logo.

The color: Ford’s historic logo was printed in black and white in the early years after its initial green debut, but it evolved into today’s blue with royal, navy, and sky hues.

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How to save money on car insurance for your Ford

While the tradition behind Ford’s logo is worth appreciating, you might be ready to make your pricey car insurance policy part of your history. With62% of Americans overpaying for

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