Last Thursday in my C.B. class we had a discussion about the evolution of logos, and as I drive a Mazda3, I thought I'd share a little history of the company and why the logo looks the way it does. I borrowed a lot of this information from various websites, and talks with my dad on the subject. I'll give proper notation at the end of the note.
Before I continue with what most people will consider the "boring stuff," I'll give a link to the website with the evolution of the logo, just like what we viewed in class the other day; this site includes an explanation of why the company chose each logo, and what each one "means." (http://worldsbestlogos.blogspot.com/2008/02/mazda-logo-evolution.html) Most importantly the last emblem that Mazda uses today represents the following according to the site: "Capturing the spirit of Mazda, the stylised "M" evokes an image of wings in flight and symbolises the Mazda’s flight toward the future. The "V" in the centre of the "M" spreads out like an opening fan, representing the creativity, vitalty, flexibilty and passion that is Mazda. The symbol as a whole expresses the sharp, solid feeling that Mazda will be seeking in all of its products. The dynamic circle symbolises our readiness to spread our wings as we enter the 21st century."
Now that the air has been cleared about what the logo actually is, here's the (brief) history of why there are wings in the logo, and what Mazda went through to get to the point it's at today.
Mazda was formed in Hiroshima, Japan in 1920 and was originally named Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. In1921, a man named Jujiro Matsuda became the president of the company.
In 1927, Mr. Matsuda reformed the company naming it Toyo Kogyo Kaisha. Come 1929, the company made machine tools, and their first motor vehicle. A test run of 30 tri-cycle trucks were made. By 1931 these same tri-cycle trucks were being exported to China. It was called the “Mazda-Go-a.” The first “Mazda’s”, if you will, were out and about in the world.
In 1934, Toyo Kogyo changed its name to Mazda, although it was unofficial. Some say it was in honor of the founder (the “t” is silent in his name) and others say it is also in reference to the Zoroastrian (this is the Old Iranian religion) god, “Ahura-Mazda”. However, according to Ford’s Brand web site on the subject of Mazda’s history, it says that Mr. Matsuda changed the name in 1931, and he specifically wanted the company to associate its image with the god Ahura Mazda. It also says that Mr. Matsuda had trouble deciding between naming the company after his family name or the god. However, he finally chose the god’s name because as the site says, “This was characteristic of the company’s founder, who was humble and idealistic and wished the brand name to be symbolic of a broader positive meaning.”
(Some production happens, Mazda spreads worldwide, and they entered into a technical cooperation with NSU/Wankel [Germany] to develop the rotary engine. Fast forward to the 1970s.)
1970 Kouhei Matsuda becomes president, and in 1971 forms MMA (Mazda Motor of America.)
In 1979 Mazda partners with Ford Motor Company.
In 1984 the company is renamed Mazda Motor Corporation. It is now the Corporation we know today.
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Mazda Company Website. History. http://www.mazda.com/profile/history/
History of the Mazda Motor Company. Stutters, Chris. 2003, October 29.http://www.triplezoom.com/news/publish/printer_56.shtml
Ahura Mazda wiki. Various Authors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ahura_Mazda
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