What does the "Skoda" icon mean? History of the logo

What does the Škoda icon mean? The question interests many. The logo of a well-known Czech company that produces cars, causes different associations. Some see the winged bird flapping in the background of the globe, the other flying arrow, the third ... Let's not guess! Let's go on a journey in time. We learn a lot of interesting from the past and the present enterprise, the formation of which took place almost 150 years ago.

How it all began

Let's turn to the bibliographic sources that fixed what the "Skoda" icon means. The history of the logo deserves attention. But first let's talk about the birth of the plant itself. The chronology of the automaker with a worldwide name is associated with two separate enterprises. The first is the factory of Emil Skoda. Initially, Emil was the director of a modest Plzen mechanical plant, built in 1859 by entrepreneur Valdstein.

In 1869 he bought the enterprise and proceeded to expand the range of products. Apparently, the grandiose plans of a Czech engineer with excellent enterprise achieved the goal. Mark Škoda was famous in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is widely known in the 21st century.

To understand what the icon "Skoda" means, how it changed, you need to study the details of the second birth of the enterprise. This happened at the end of 1885. A small machine-building plant Laurin & Klement in Mlada Boleslav (a town in the Central Bohemian region on the bank of the Jizera River) started producing a simple mode of transport - bicycles.

Lime leaf

For the mass production of cars, moving with the help of the rider's feet, required parts. Most of the details of the organizers of the bicycle business Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Clement purchased in England.

New business for themselves was mastered with great enthusiasm. Otherwise, it is unlikely that nowadays millions of people have thought about what the "Skoda" icon means. The story goes: the first companion was a mechanic, the second bookseller, but both adored cycling.

The model of a two-wheeled product invented by them was named patriotically: "Slavia". He did well not only in the Czech Republic, but also abroad. Inhabitants of the multinational state in Central Europe of the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary respectfully responded to the Slavia brand ("Slavic").

Experienced motorists know what the "Skoda" badge and emblem stand for. But have all of them "dug" the subject deeply and are aware of the first "lime leaves" reflecting the Slavic-gypsy roots of the product?

Wreath of the Emperor

The heart-shaped image could be seen not only on bicycles, but also on motorcycles, which eventually the company began to produce. As often happens, manufacturers wanted something new. This is confirmed by the fact that since 1900 the Slavia brand has begun to disappear.

But more often appeared the symbol L & K inside the laurel wreath. The logo was in force until 1925. They say that this is the dedication of Clement to his partner Laurin. Adorable humor, the eccentric used the similarity of the sounding of the words "Laurin'u" and "laurus nobilis" (laurel leaf).

A wreath of fame and victories, a symbol of imperial greatness, immortalized the diligence and genius of Engineer Vaclav. So, it turns out what the "Skoda" icon means! Octavia is a compact family car of the modern version of Laurin & Klement. Convenient, quite popular. Rare top-end idea with twists - cruise, climate control, steering wheel in 2 planes, - the founders did not even dream about it!

Glory to the great mind!

But back to the past. In 1925 the company merged with the large enterprise "Skoda Pilsen". The brand L & K went into oblivion. The new company was called Skoda. We have already mentioned the "Indian associations". A colorful emblem appeared just in the twenty-fifth. They say that a servant from America worked in the rich house of Skoda. The sight of an indigenous representative of the distant continent, adopted by Columbus for India, inspired the director of SKODA to portray an arrow.

Eagle "cap" on the head of the Indian, its graphic stylized image with the addition of an arrow / spear, the fusion of "head" and "arrow". All these are the stages of a long journey. They talk about what the badge of the Skoda car means.

The old sign is more interesting?

At the end of one thousand nine hundred and twenty-third year, the Patent Office of the Patent Office in Pilsen legalized two varieties of the brand. The winged arrow with 5 feathers and the inscription SKODA in the circle flourished in 1924-1925. The second option is an arrow with three feathers. In both cases, the pointed point looked to the right.

It is believed that from 1926 to the present time, the "trident" is an almost unchanging logo. Comprehending the secrets of the versions, which means the "Skoda" icon, the author's name remains in the shadows. Two Czech sculptors are named, but who is specific: Otakar Kpaniel or Otto Gutfrend - is unknown. At the present time, when interpreting the meaning of a sign, it is often mentioned the magnitude and perfection of production (a circle, it is also a globe).

Interesting metamorphosis occurred in 1990. The emblem became green. A green color appeared around it. The inscription is Skoda Auto.

Finding other solutions

In 1991, during the disintegration of the USSR, a process called "perestroika" was under way. The word privatization, which was unusual for Soviet people, sounded earlier. At that time in another former socialist country, the privatized Škoda entered the Volkswagen Group (became a subsidiary).

The logo and emblem were interpreted already in the light of new trends. The headpiece of an Indian (gear) is a symbol of progress. Arrow is innovation. "Eye of a bird" (small gear) - the accuracy of the production process. In April 1991, SKODA bought out copyrights.

In 1993, small changes were made to the image. The color combination has become black and green (tradition, growth, environmental friendliness). In 1999, the sign was added "convexity" (3D effect). In place of white came a silver color.

By the centenary of the company the SKODA Felicia car was decorated with an arrow with wings surrounded by a laurel wreath with a stylized figure of 100. In 2011 it was already a winged arrow on a matte black background in a chrome circle without the inscription "Skoda". It seems that the icon means "Skoda", it is understandable. As for changes in the "appearance", many believe that the old sign was more expressive.

Look at this cult symbol on a white background, built into a black and silver circle. Perhaps, it will seem to you impeccable. After all, everything is laconically transferred to it: traditions, ecological safety of production, innovation.

I wonder how the sign will change in the future? Will these be "cosmic changes"? Or the old good retro will take over?