What You Probably Didn’t Know About the Tesla Logo
When it comes to following the world’s shift to sustainable energy, Tesla is at the front of the pack with its cutting-edge cars. Following the introduction of its top-level electric cars to the market, its ability to self-drive wasn’t the only thing that got people talking.
Amidst the car’s incredible features, including Autopilot, Sentry mode, Streaming services, Advanced parking sensors, and Free over-the-air updates, one thing that drew attention and provoked several questions was its unique yet simple logo.
For a futuristic car that thrives on elegance, Tesla’s logo has brought about controversies bordering on its true meaning. At first glance, the Tesla logo could imply a variety of meanings to various people, and consequently, this trait has prompted some misconceptions about what the logo truly stands for.
Keep reading, and you’ll find out everything you need to know about the origin, evolution, and true meaning of the famous Tesla logo.
The Origin and Evolution of the Tesla Logo
The history of the name Tesla dates back to 2003 when it was founded by American entrepreneurs Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning. At the time, Eberhard was Tesla’s chief executive officer (CEO) and Tarpenning its chief financial officer (CFO).
The innovation was born out of their belief that electric vehicles could be better, quicker, and more fun to drive than gasoline cars. As such, Tesla was founded on the desire to create a powerful sports car sustained by clean energy. It intended to accelerate the world’s transition to electric mobility.
The automobile brand was subsequently named after the company’s inventor and electrical engineer, Nikola Tesla. He was the one who discovered alternating current and predicted that it would be widely used in the engineering industry.
Tesla Inc. is behind one of the best-selling electric cars in history, created to appeal mainly to millennials. The Tesla logo has somewhat evolved since the launch of the brand, and for a long time, it has maintained a very similar image.
The New Jersey-based RO Studio designed the Tesla logo. This design company is also responsible for creating logos for Elon Musk’s other company, SpaceX.
Initially, the Tesla logo was a futuristic-looking letter “T” made to fit inside a shield emblem. It’s a white logo set against a black background. Over time, the company ditched the shield and chose to just keep the “T” as their logo for a less- complicated and elegant look.
The present Tesla logo features the letter “T” in a red color but still maintains the same futuristic-looking design. It is set against a white background, with “Tesla” also written in red below the logo.
What is the True Meaning of the Tesla Logo?
The Famous Fancy-Looking “T” Explained
If you’ve ever been curious about the meaning behind the fancy-looking “T” in the Tesla logo, you’ve probably heard a few theories.
Today, the Tesla symbol is one of the most recognizable symbols in the automotive industry. It is a perfect example of simplicity combined with a deeper meaning. Consequently, the letter “T” of the well-known electric car manufacturer has a deeper meaning than most people realize.
More than just a sleek design, the logo symbolizes the automaker’s history. It represents a cross-section of an electric motor first designed by the company’s physicist and inventor, Nikola Tesla.
The invention of the electric motor opened the door to creating more efficient, cost-effective, and reliable motors. And as a result, Tesla was born from its modernized version. Little wonder it served as the basis of the Tesla logo.
What Style Does the Tesla Logo Adopt?
With proper attention, it’s almost impossible not to notice the unmistakable reference to Tesla’s electrical roots in the Tesla logo design. The simple yet stylish logo conveys the brand’s purpose symbolically as it takes the form of a stylized section of the cross-section of an electric motor.
Tesla’s logo adopts the Combination logo style by incorporating both the company’s name and a symbol and positioning them side-by-side. Integrating both branding elements makes it simple for consumers to easily associate the logo with the company’s name regardless of where they are in the world.
Why does the Tesla logo look like ovaries?
You’re not wrong to think this. After all, if you look long enough, you begin to notice the logo’s resemblance to an ovary. Similarly, the Tesla logo also looks like an IUD(Intrauterine Device, which is a small contraceptive device inserted into the uterus (womb) to prevent pregnancy).
Funnily enough, IUDs were developed based on a cross-section of Nikola Tesla’s original AC induction motor, which is found in Tesla Model S and Model X cars. As I stated earlier, this motor had a more direct influence on Tesla’s choice of a logo for their brand.
The company name Tesla, on the other hand, is stylized, using unique and high-end typefaces that best express the luxurious personality of the brand. This approach works effectively because the company has a unique, easy-to-remember, and appealing name.
The letters “E” and “A” from TESLA were created differently to break the typeface monotony and make a statement. The letter E comprises three horizontal lines, while the letter A comprises one horizontal line at the top neatly spaced from the lower n-shaped form.
The adoption of this particular logo style affords Tesla the flexibility to use its wordmark or symbol independently to suit various contexts better. However, the distinctive letter “T” symbol in the logo is used independently on the car as it exudes class and elegance.
Also worthy of mention is the fact that the Tesla logo has a certain futuristic feel. It reflects in both its unique wordmark font and its symbol. Considering the fact that Tesla is a company founded on the principles of multi-faceted advancement, it’s little wonder that the logo encapsulates these principles with its various iterations.