10 Old Logos and Brands That Have Been Around for Over 100 Years

Reminder: why and how to create a timeless logo and brand

Before we start with our examples, let's take a moment to remember the importance of having a timeless logo, one that endures. A timeless logo has many advantages, not least of which is that it helps your credibility. A mistake often made by young companies is to follow new trends at all costs. Unfortunately, trends change rapidly, and what may have seemed current may be outdated in just a few years. Also, the larger your company grows, the more expensive it will be to redesign your brand and get a new logo. Indeed, when you change your current logo, you need to modify your website, social media pages, packaging, business cards, etc.

So how do you get a timeless logo that will last for years to come? Simply create a visual identity that's simple and representative. Use graphic components that work with your brand, not because they're fashionable.

 

10 popular company logos that have changed little or nothing through the years

To help you create a timeless logo, we've found 10 corporate logos that have changed little or not at all over time. You'll notice that most century-old brands have always followed a guiding principle when it comes to their visual identity, even during redesigns.

There are far more than a dozen logos over 100 years old, and this number is set to increase in the coming years.

Coca-Cola

Let's start our list with the famous Coca-Cola logo. Unlike its competitor Pepsi, which has changed its logo many times, Coca-Cola's brand image has remained stable over the years, despite the different variations. Its signature logo is recognized around the world.

Ford

Let's move on to another well-known, century-old American brand: Ford. Although Ford's logo started as a badge made up of several components, by 1912 the company's name was in an oval. Today's font is also a nod to the brand's original look.

 

Stella Artois

Stella Artois has been featured on several of our lists. In fact, in addition to being a company that has been around for several hundred years, its logo underwent a few changes in 2023. Nevertheless, all the essential components of the earlier logos - the horn, the year of foundation, and the brand name - are still present today.

Guinness

Guinness is another hundred-year-old brewery renowned for its black beer. Founded in Ireland, the company has become one of the country's best-known brands. Right from the start, the Guinness logo used the harp as its main symbol, a symbol still proudly used today.

 

UPS

One of the great advantages of badges and crests is that they work well for brands that want to show they've been around for a long time. This is the case for United Parcel Service, better known as UPS. The American company has always used a shield shape as a background, and a color palette consisting mainly of brown and yellow, regardless of the version of their logo.

 

Harley-Davidson

Among the best-known motorcycle brands, we can't ignore Harley-Davidson. It's another great example of a badge logo. Founded in 1903 by William Harley and Arthur Davidson, Harley-Davidson has stood out over the years in terms of the color palette used and the target clientele.

 

John Deere

It's not just carmakers who have logos that stand out from the competition. When you think of a tractor, you may think of John Deere. Did you know that John Deere has been using a deer as their main brand symbol since 1876?

 

Chanel

For the Chanel logo, we're cheating slightly as it was created in 1925. So, it's not exactly 100 years old, but it's not far off. To this day, the Chanel logo remains one of the best examples of a timeless logo. Both simple and distinctive, it is associated with elegance.

Louis Vuitton

Louis Vuitton is another French luxury brand that has undergone no major changes in its history. The monogram logo, composed of the founder's initials, was created at the end of the 19th century to stand out from the competition, as others were trying to reproduce the products offered by this leather goods specialist.

Peugeot

The French carmaker Peugeot has always used the lion as the main symbol for their products because it is the animal on the coat of arms of their home region. The lion was first placed in a shield in the 1920s. Despite some changes over the following decades, this design is still used today.

What is the oldest logo design?

There are some conflicts regarding what the oldest logo still used today would be. It all depends on the definition. For example, Stella Artois is one of the oldest, but its logo evolved with time; it had a few redesigns over the last couple of centuries. On the other hand, some consider Twinings, a tea company from England, to be the oldest brand without any changes. Both options remain famous for older logo designs. Moreover, it is important to mention that some Japanese emblems could compete regarding their age.

What is the most famous logo in history?

Once again, it is not an easy question. The answer may depend on the time you are born and the place you live; however, businesses like Apple, Coca-Cola, Starbucks, and McDonald's are surely among the most popular and famous logos of all time.

In conclusion, it's hard to know whether your logo could be considered old or timeless. Only time will tell. However, as we've seen, brands with timeless logos have relied on a strong, representative brand image from the outset. So, remember, you're designing a logo for your company, not for a competitor.