By: Lance Nickleson
Have you ever wondered whether the logo that you’re seeing on your Canon DSLR camera was the same logo used 50 years ago? The current logo found on your camera underwent a number of changes before it was able to arrive at its present form.
Back then, Canon was not even the name of the camera company. It was known as Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory. The cameras manufactured back then for trial basis were called “Kwanon,” the name of the Buddhist Goddess of Mercy. Established in 1933, these newly-named cameras also had a logo that depicted an image of Kwanon with 1,000 arms and flames.
After some time, the company had decided to pursue a large-scale production of its products. Since the company needed a brand name that would be appreciated by people, the proponents of the company decided to register “Canon” as their official trademark. The transition was fairly smooth because “Kwanon” and “Canon” has the same pronunciation.
As for the Canon logo design, the engraved “Kwanon” logo was used on trial-manufactured cameras produced by the company. However, these cameras were not released in the market.
By 1935, a designer specialized in advertising was hired to create the logo design of the original Canon logo. The typeface did not yet exist in North America or even Europe. The “C” used for the design had a unique sharp-edged point that reflected the company’s aim of gaining worldwide recognition.
Before adopting the name “Canon Camera Co. Inc.,” Precision Optical Instruments Laboratory underwent various name changes. It was in 1947 when the company had decided to fuse the Canon brand and the company. From there, various modifications and adjustments were made on the company logo, particularly on the 1953 logo. The polished logo of Canon, which was released in 1955, is being used by the company until now. It remained unchanged for nearly half a century.
The Canon logo design is a proof that a quality and simple logo can grow with the company and can stay with the company for a long period of time.
Lance Nickleson is a design consultant who writes for different design magazines.
