100 years ago, a three-pointed star was created.
Logos serve more than a label for a company. They are also the brand’s identity. These logos can even be used as icons. Take, for example, the three-pointed star in Mercedes-Benz.
Mercedes-Benz celebrates the centenary of its logo this month. Although there have been many variations throughout the century, the core elements remain the same. You can tell what it is if you see a ring that has a three-pointed star inside.
This logo was registered for the first time on November 5, 1921. Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft (DMG) applied for trademark protection for the emblem that’s still in use today. The star was known for around a decade but wasn’t yet housed in the ring. The brand that we now call Mercedes-Benz didn’t emerge until 1926, five-years after the trademark protection seal was filed.
A little tweak was made to the logo after DMG and Benz & Cie merged in 1926. The logo’s three-pointed star was trimmed with Benz’s laurel wreath. You then have the iconic hood star, which has been on Mercedes-Benz vehicles ever since. The three points are significant for those who know them. It represents Daimler’s goal to motorize land, sea and air vehicles. It is also important to note that a four-pointed star was registered in 1921. However, it would be used in 1989 by the Deutsche Aerospace Aktiengesellschaft, now Daimler-Benz Aerospace.
We don’t think the logo will ever be changed due to its star power. The classic hood ornament arrangement may be ending for many Mercedes-Benz models, however.
It is no longer available on the W206 C-Class, but it is still available on the long wheelbase versionin China. The E-Class is not available in the US. European customers still have the option to choose the Exclusive exterior line. Mercedes-Maybach GLE, Mercedes-Maybach S-Class and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class are the only models that still feature the hood star.