Motorola has always taken design seriously; our logo is no exception.
While the brand name “Motorola” was established in 1930, it wasn’t until 1947 that the name was taken for the company. During the time as a brand name, the style leaned toward a handwritten, cursive look. However, when the company took the name officially, the style was changed dramatically to bold block lettering.
The logo kept this style until 1955 when Morton Goldsholl, an award-winning Chicago graphic designer, proposed establishing a visually strong graphic mark. “It should capture the eye of all observers–consumer, dealer, salesman, casual onlooker, or the most prejudiced company employee…[and] it should have the visual strength to last,” said Goldsholl.
So the “M” insignia was born. Also referred to as the “emsignia,” it featured two aspiring triangle peaks arching into an abstracted “M,” and became known as the batwings.
During the 1960s, the “M” insignia often was enhanced with a ring or a solid disk, and was officially modified to include the ring in 1967. In October 2001, the emsignia was changed from an “M” within a ring to an “M” on a solid disk. This slight change provided a stronger, more powerful symbol that would stand alone. It proved to be so strong that we’ve kept it to this day.
Want more? Visit the Motorola Heritage site and play around on the interactive timeline.