Logo Beginnings

Logo Beginnings presents an extensive archive of corporate logos and trademarks from 1870-1940, with over 6,000 examples documented and organized chronologically. The volume traces the evolution of logo design through the Industrial Revolution and early modernist period. Author Jens Müller combines high-resolution reproductions with historical context about each logo's creation and use. The book includes works from major design pioneers and studios across Europe and North America, supplemented by technical drawings and patent documentation. The research spans diverse industries including manufacturing, transportation, energy, and consumer goods. Each chapter focuses on a specific decade, revealing the gradual shift from ornate Victorian aesthetics to streamlined modernist approaches. This collection demonstrates how early corporate identity systems reflected broader cultural and technological changes of the era. Through these logos, readers can observe the development of graphic design as a profession and the emergence of branding as we know it today.

Readers appreciate the book's detailed historical documentation of logo design from 1870-1975, with extensive visual examples and side-by-side comparisons. Many note the high print quality and production value of the images. Multiple reviewers point out the book's value as a reference guide, with one Amazon reviewer stating "it belongs in every designer's library for both inspiration and research." The chronological organization and inclusion of dates helps readers track design evolution. Main criticisms focus on: - Text being too small to read comfortably - Limited coverage of non-Western logos - High price point ($70-80) - Heavy weight making it difficult to handle Ratings: Amazon: 4.8/5 (43 reviews) Goodreads: 4.6/5 (21 reviews) Several design professionals praise the book's research depth - one Goodreads reviewer noted "the amount of historical context and documentation is incredible." The most common complaint is about the physical format, with multiple readers suggesting it should have been split into two volumes.

Logo Life by Ron van der Vlugt Documents the evolution of iconic logos through decades of redesign and traces their transformation across time periods and cultural shifts.

Logo Modernism by Jens Müller Presents modernist logos from 1940-1980 through categorized examples and detailed analysis of corporate visual identity systems.

TM: The Untold Stories Behind 29 Classic Logos by Mark Sinclair Reveals the design processes and historical contexts behind well-known trademarks through original sketches and designer interviews.

Symbol by Steven Bateman and Angus Hyland Examines over 1300 symbols and logos through categorical organization with information on their origins and development.

Marks of Excellence: The History and Taxonomy of Trademarks by Per Mollerup Provides a systematic classification of trademarks and explores their historical development from antiquity to present day.

🔹 Logo Beginnings documents over 6,000 trademarks from 1870-1940, showcasing the origins of modern corporate identity design during the Industrial Revolution 🔹 Author Jens Müller spent years researching archives worldwide to compile what is considered the most comprehensive collection of early trademark designs ever published 🔹 The book reveals how many iconic design elements we associate with modern logos—like circles, squares, and arrows—were established as visual communication tools during the late 19th century 🔹 Each trademark in the book is presented chronologically and features details about its original registration date, owner, and country of origin, creating a valuable historical reference 🔹 Many of the logos featured were hand-drawn and manually reproduced before the advent of digital design tools, demonstrating remarkable craftsmanship and precision in early commercial art