What does the Skoda badge mean? History of the logo

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

What does the Skoda badge mean? The question interests many. The logo of a well-known Czech car manufacturer evokes various associations. Some see a bird spreading its wings against the backdrop of the globe, others a flying arrow, others … Let's not guess! Let's go on a journey through time. We will learn a lot of interesting things from the past and present of the enterprise, the formation of which took place almost 150 years ago.

How it all began

Let's turn to bibliographic sources that fix what the "Skoda" icon means? The history of the logo deserves attention. But first, let's talk about the origin of the plant itself. The chronicle of the world-famous automaker is associated with two separate enterprises. The first is the factory of Emil Skoda. Initially, Emil was the director of the modest Pilsen Mechanical Factory, built in 1859 by entrepreneur Waldstein.

In 1869 he bought the company and startedexpanding the range of products. Apparently, the grandiose plans of the Czech engineer, who has excellent entrepreneurial spirit, achieved their goal. The Škoda brand was famous in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. She is widely known in the XXI century.

To understand what the Skoda badge means, how it has changed, you need to study the details of the rebirth of the enterprise. This happened at the end of 1885. The small machine-building plant Laurin & Klement in Mlada Boleslav (a town in the Central Bohemian region on the banks of the Jizera River) has begun to produce a simple form of transport - bicycles.

Linden leaf

For the serial production of cars moving with the help of the rider's legs, components were required. The organizers of the cycling business Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Klement bought most of the parts in England.

They mastered a new business with great enthusiasm. Otherwise, it is unlikely that millions of people today have thought about what the Skoda icon means. The story goes: the first companion was a mechanic, the second a bookseller, but both loved cycling.

The model of the two-wheeled goods invented by them was called patriotically: "Slavia". He sold well not only in the Czech Republic, but also abroad. Residents of the multinational state in Central Europe of the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary spoke respectfully of the Slavia brand (“Slavonic”).

Experienced motorists know what the Skoda badge and emblem mean. But did all of them “dig” the topic deeply and know about the first “linden leaves” reflecting the Slavic-Gypsyproduct roots?

Emperor's Wreath

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

But the symbol L&K appeared more and more often inside the laurel wreath. The logo was valid until 1925. They say this is Clement's dedication to his partner Laurin. The eccentric who loved humor used the similarity of the sound of the words "Laurin'u" and "laurus nobilis" (bay leaf).

The wreath of glory and victories, a symbol of imperial greatness, immortalized the industriousness and genius of the engineer Vaclav. Here, it turns out, what the Skoda badge means! Octavia is a compact family car of the modern version of Laurin & Klement. Comfortable and quite popular. A rare top idea with bells and whistles - cruise control, climate control, a steering wheel with adjustment in 2 planes - the founders never dreamed of this!

Glory to the great mind

But back to the past. In 1925, the company merged with the large Skoda Pilsen company. The L&K brand has gone into oblivion. The new company was called Skoda. We have already mentioned "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 a representative of the indigenous population of a distant mainland, taken by Columbus for India, inspired the director of SKODA to depict an arrow.

The eagle "cap" on the Indian's head, its graphicstylized image with the addition of an arrow / spear, the merging of "head" and "arrow". All of these are milestones on a long journey. They talk about what the Škoda badge means.

Is the old sign more interesting?

At the end of the year 1923, two varieties of the brand were legalized by the employees of the patent office for copyright in Pilsen. A winged arrow with 5 feathers and the inscription SKODA in a circle flourished in 1924-1925. The second option is an arrow with three feathers. In both cases, the point pointed to the right.

It is believed that from 1926 to the present time, the “trident” is an almost unchanged logo. Comprehending the secret of versions, which means the Skoda icon, the name of the author remains in the shadows. Two Czech sculptors are named, but who exactly: Otakar Kpaniel or Otto Gutfreund is unknown. At present, interpreting the meaning of the sign, they often mention the size and impeccability of production (a circle, also known as the globe).

Interesting metamorphoses occurred in 1990. The emblem is green. There was a green color all around. Skoda Auto lettering.

Search for other solutions

In 1991, during the collapse of the USSR, there was a process called "perestroika". The word privatization, previously unaccustomed to Soviet people, sounded. At this time, in another former socialist country, the privatized Škoda entered the Volkswagen Group (became a subsidiary).

The logo, the emblem were already interpreted in the light of new trends. Indian headdress (gear) is a symbol of progress. Arrow -innovation. "Bird's eye" (small gear) - the accuracy of the production process. In April 1991, SKODA bought the copyright.

In 1993, minor modifications were made to the image. The color combination became black and green (traditions, growth, sustainability). In 1999, “bulges” (3D effect) were added to the sign. White has been replaced by silver.

For the centenary of the company, the SKODA Felicia was decorated with an arrow with wings surrounded by a laurel wreath with a stylized number 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 Skoda icon means, of course. As for the changes in the "look", many believe that the old sign was more expressive.

Look at this iconic symbol on a white background, embedded in a black and silver circle. You may find it flawless. After all, everything is succinctly conveyed in it: traditions, environmental safety of production, innovation.

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