Welcome back everyone, I am Alley Jean and this is my dog, Kingsley. So today we are setting the time machine controls for New York 1942. (Sound of time machine blasting off!)
Today is about women empowerment and the Wonder Woman logo. Do you remember waking up on Saturday morning as a kid and pouring a bowl of your favorite cereal? You could take your time eating it because there was no school. Even having a second bowl. Then curling up on the sofa and turning on your go-to cartoon show. Mine was The Superfriends. I never missed an episode. The intro alone would get my heart racing. Or maybe it was the frosted flakes?
If you don’t know, The Superfriends was a team of D.C. comic superheroes who fought villains every week. As a girl, I of course was mesmerized by Wonder Woman. To see a female fight alongside the mighty Superman and Batman was amazing to me. She was beautiful and strong. She wore a crown, bracelets, and a magic lasso at her side. She is an equal to men.
Here we are in Rye, New York 1942. Kingsley and I start our walk to the neighborhood of Dr. William Marnston who was the creator of Wonder Woman. The neighborhood is so cute with all the kept flowers and white fences. I love all the cars! The Buicks and the Oldsmobiles are so big and have a ton of personality. Kids are playing outside everywhere. They are on bicycles and in the trees, even playing stickball in the street. We come upon the address and start our way up to the door. I notice every neighbor outside on their porch keenly watches us as we approach the door. I wave to a few of them and they return a wave to me.
Now I have to admit I usually do research on the person I’m seeking out, however this time I just quickly read that the Wonder Woman character was first printed in 1941 and was created by a Harvard professor Dr. William Marnston. I wanted to talk to him right at the time the comic took off. So I figured out where he was living at the time and didn’t investigate much else about him personally. Instead, I went down a rabbit hole reading about World War 2 because that’s what was happening in 1942. I was unprepared for this encounter.
I knock on the door. Children answer the door and are immediately won over by Kingsley. They surround him and begin petting him and fawning over him. Kingsley loves it. Then a woman comes to the door.
“May I help you?”
“Yes, I’m Alley Jean. Are you Mrs. Marnston?
“No, I’m Olive Byrne.”
“Oh, I’m sorry I must have the wrong address.”
“No, this is the right address.”
“Is Dr. Marnston here?”
“Yes, come in, I’ll get William for you.”
The children ask if they can play with Kingsley in the backyard.
“Of course, you can, he’ll love it.”
Off they go and everything becomes quiet. I adore the inside of the house. The colors are very midcentury… ochre, orange, and brown. It’s all very neat and simple. The living room has no television, only a radio, and a phonograph. The next decade would bring the television to the average home.
Dr. Marnston strolls in with another woman.
“Hello, I’m Dr. William Marnston and this is my wife Elizabeth, and I see you’ve met Olive. What brings you to our home?”
“I’m Alley Jean and I’m a huge fan of Wonder Woman! I found out you lived close by and I thought I would try and meet you.”
“That’s fantastic, I really appreciate our fans.”
I immediately ask about the logo.
“What was the inspiration behind the logo design? What does it mean to you Dr. Marnston?”
Without hesitating Dr. Marnston replies. “Please call me William. Well, it represents America and truth and justice. It also had to have some relevance to Greek mythology being that Wonder Woman is from ancient Greece. Also, let’s not forget Harry Peter the cartoonist who illustrated the eagle symbol.”
Elizabeth jumps in. “When William was hired by Maxwell Gaines to create a new superhero I insisted it be a woman.”
Olive gets in on the conversation. “She is styled after me.” She clings her two gold bracelets together.
I ask Elizabeth and Olive. “Are you two related or…..?”
“No, no we are all lovers here.” Elizabeth casually states.
She adds. “William and I are married and Olive is our grand polyamorous life partner.”
“Perhaps a little too much information dear.” Dr. Marnston says.
“Oh, nonsense the whole neighborhood already knows. Mrs.You Know Who walked in on the three of us having a bondage session.”
“Would you like some iced tea?” Olive asks, seeming uncomfortable with Elizabeth’s declaration.
She heads to the kitchen without me even answering.
I had to ask. “So are the children …..”
Before I could finish my sentence William states, “Yes they are all our children.”
“Live and let live you know. Seems like you have a very happy family.” I tell them.
“You don’t have to state the obvious to me, Alley Jean.” Elizabeth snaps.
“Oh Elizabeth, she’s just telling the truth,” Olive says in my defense while handing me a glass of iced tea.
“No really, you have an awesome family,” I say.
Elizabeth repeats. “Awesome family. I like that, a bit untraditional but awesome.”
Olive gives me a comforting smile.
“You see Alley Jean, I molded the idea of Wonder Women after Elizabeth and Olive. She has Elizabeth’s brilliance and independence blended with Olive’s build, nurturing nature, and feminist pedigree.” William informs.
I blurt out “Get the hell out of here! Sorry, I mean…Really?”
“Yes, it’s true. We are all feminists here. Wonder Woman is psychological propaganda for a new type of woman who should rule the world. Women are more honest than men and I can prove it to you. Let’s show Alley Jean our truth machine.” William proudly states.
Everyone began making their way to what is their home office. As I entered, there on a table snug against the desk was the most peculiar machine. A metal box with several knobs and gauges. Lots of wires and sensors.
William explains,” Elizabeth and I are both psychologists and we have been perfecting our little invention here for some time now. This instrument measures the systolic blood pressure of a person. When that person is asked a question and the blood pressure rises this needle will also rise. This needle draws a line on the paper proving if the person is telling the truth. If the line is straight they are telling the truth. If the line spikes it is a lie. Out of the men and women we have tested, the women are always more truthful.”
“It seems quite accurate,” Elizabeth says.
“Let us show you.”
“It is a lot of fun. It really works.” Olive ensures.
Olive and Elizabeth begin hooking me up. Wrapping spiraled chords around me and my right hand connected to wired sensors. I sit down in a chair as they turn the machine on. Different colored lights come on. The paper begins slowly moving as the needle begins a floaty straight line.
As I sat there watching Dr. Marnston checking the gauges I thought to myself, “What the hell I’m I doing?”
Dr. Marnston fans out five cards facing down and asks me to choose one only showing myself.
I look at the card and place it down.
He then asks me to answer “no” to his four questions.
“Is your card the 4 of hearts?”
“No”
“Is your card the 3 of spades?”
“No”
“Is your card the Queen of clubs?”
“No”
“Is your card the King of diamonds?”
“No”
“Your card was the 3 of spades.”
“Yes, it was!” I announce.
Dr. Marnston adjusts some of the controls.
“Alright, I have you all dialed in now. Are you ready for the real questions?”
It was then I realized the connection between this early polygraph and Wonder Woman’s magic lasso of truth. Suddenly it was as if it was the real lasso wrapped around me emitting gold light across the entire room. The lasso I saw as a child breaking down villain after villain.
I never even heard the first questions Dr. Marnston asked… I just shut my eyes and started pouring out the entire truth.
“My name is Alley Jean…
I am a time traveler …
I’m from the future, 2022…
I love logos…
I created a time machine to find people who made awesome logos
I’m from Michigan, I really don’t live in New York
I love dogs
I love cats for only a couple of minutes
I think you guys are great
Wonder Woman inspires millions of girls and women for 80 years and beyond
She is made into a television series, and several movies
The Wonder Woman logo evolves into a powerful symbol of empowerment
In the future women will have all the opportunities of men
In the future women hold important roles in every industry
They even become astronauts flying around in space
And…
And…
I like to eat chocolate when I’m sad…
I slowly open my eyes to three very bewildered faces staring at me. Then simultaneously all four of us look down at the results. The line was straight the whole time.
( I can’t believe I just told them everything! )
“Do you know what this means?” Dr. Marnston exclaims.
Elizabeth stands and answers, “Yes, it means this damn thing isn’t working!”
She adds, “Check the controls, something must not be right. Quite a story there. Time traveling with a golden retriever. Women flying in space. You should be writing comics Alley Jean. ”
“I don’t see anything wrong with the test.” Dr. Marnston claims.
The children fill the house with laughter and make their way to us. Kingsley is sporting a new red cape. I take advantage and quickly start removing the sensors off of me. Elizabeth keeps rambling on while Olive still looks stunned.
“Thank you everyone this has been an extraordinary visit but Kingsley and I must be on our way.”
I turn around one last time and say, “Well, its been emotional.”
Kingsley and I exit and start making our way down the sidewalk.
Behind me Dr. Marnston shouts, “Alley Jean wait!”
I stop and we walk towards each other. He is holding a long torn piece of the testing paper in his hand.
He looks straight into my eyes and asks, “If everything you said was true, then we must win the war?”
“Yes, we win the war.”
A breakdown of the wonder woman logo
The official Wonder Woman logo has gone through several transitions since the 40s. But the color palette of bright yellow, gold, red and black along with the “W” and the eagle symbolism has remained rooted in the design. Because they stuck to these foundational forms, the Wonder Woman logo and brand have stayed recognizable and loved.
Color Palette:
Yellow and Gold: The yellow and gold color scheme psychologically draws our attention and emotions around the idea of compassion, magic, love, optimism, wisdom, godliness, perfection, power and courage.
Red: The color red is iconic and represents the United States of America, energy, confidence, beauty, and intelligence.
Black & White: Most of the logos contain black and white in them to create space, simplicity, and elegance.
Twin “W’s”:
The twin “W” in the logo is a very clever way to use the initials of Wonder Woman along with creating the idea of the eagle. Initial logos also known as monograms, are great because they are easy to understand and personal to the brand.
Eagle Symbology:
The eagle symbolizes freedom, truth, justice, and women empowerment.
The most current logo version is my favorite. This logo shows more strength than all of them and they added a little notch to the center of the “W’s” to symbolize the eagle head. The three-dimensional effect makes this logo pop. It is gorgeous and could be in a beautiful bright yellow and/or gold too.
Every generation has a special relationship with Wonder Woman.
Join me next time for another Alley Jean’s Brand Time Machine travel!
Signing off,
Alley Jean
Brand Strategist, Web Designer & SEO for Women “2022 Local Business Person of the Year Ann Arbor, Michigan
FOR all WHO seek knowledge and harbor an abundance of curiosity.
Welcome back everyone, I am Alley Jean and this is my dog Kingsley, and today we are setting the time machine controls for 1898. (Sound of time machine blasting off!)
So here we are in Honshu, Japan. I’m hiding the time machine much better this time in a more lush mountainous forest. It’s autumn here and the maples are amazing. The most beautiful yellow I’ve ever seen is a tree called the ginkgo.
Kingsley and I are going to trek to the town of Hamamatsu. This is where the founder Torakusu Yamaha lives and is designing the first official logo. He started off as a repairman who worked on medical equipment as well as musical instruments. His grand idea was to develop a multi-faceted corporation. While working on repairs for an organ he decided to use his last name to brand the company, Yamaha.
The town is lively with people going about their day. They are dressed in Kimonos but some of the men are wearing western-style suits. The streets have some people traveling on horse while others are “shank’s mare” which is a phrase of traveling on foot. The place is really special. It is coastal and even has a castle made of wood and stone. Although the people seem very curious of us they all smile as we walk by. We reached the home of Torakusu Yamaha. He answers the door.
“Mr. Yamaha?” I ask.
He nods and seems confused why a Westerner would be at his door.
I handed him a letter I had printed out in Japanese explaining I was an artist interested in his logo.
He reads it and smiles. Then holds it up into the sunlight examining a print he has never seen. He flips it over and over. He feels the paper, rubbing it between his fingers.
He hands the letter back to me and I believe he said. “Come in, come in” because he waved us in.
I bowed before entering while keeping eye contact. That’s how it’s done. As I entered he pointed at my shoes. Before I could even get them off a woman begins talking very excitedly and begins petting and hugging Kingsley. They have never seen such a dog. She is speaking to him and he tilts his head back and forth while giving “the golden retriever lip.”
We walk into a little artist den and it’s decorated in several rugs and cultural silk banners hanging from the ceiling. His desk is covered in brushes and watercolors. The logo is drawn out in several different stages. Some were even in color. The original logo is fantastic and one of my favorites. Mr. Yamaha seems very proud and he should be. The ornamental design is a “Ho-oh” Chinese phoenix also known as a “Ho-oh” holding a tuning fork in its mouth. The logo was created to express world-class products and it truly hits the mark. The design would go on to be first used on top-quality organs.
As we know a tuning fork is used for tuning musical instruments. The tuning fork is a handle attached to the center of a U-shaped steel rod. When striking the rod the sound created, and the frequency of the resulting vibrations per second is used as a standard for tuning a musical instrument.
Later on, in the 20th century, the Yamaha logo would be simplified using three tuning forks. Mr. Yamaha wanted to represent the cooperative relationship that links the three pillars of his business of technology, production, and sales. He also wanted the mark to symbolize the three essential musical elements: rhythm, melody, and harmony.
Original Logo
2021 Logo
The original logo is artistic, nature-based, and has a flowing intrigue that I prefer. I would love to own one of the original organs with this logo. If I could fit one in my time machine I would.
We are guided to a table where we are given tea and food. Mr. Yamaha creates a Sumi portrait painting of Kingsley before we leave. They seem to really have a love for Kingsley. Before we leave I write down the breeder of the English Golden Retriever in Scotland so they can find their own furry companion. This has been one of the best travels yet.
Everything went smoothly until Kingsley and I got back to the time machine. What we thought were five harmless Macaque monkeys, also known as snow monkeys were playing on top of the time machine. suddenly one monkey began shaking a tree and an army of them poured out of the forest. All I remember was high-pitched screaming on top of my own. Longtails everywhere. First Kingsley was being dragged away. Then I was being dragged away! I couldn’t get over how weirdly cute they were even though I was terrified.
Finally, we were able to get through the chaos and make our way into the time machine. I have never set the time controls so fast and we set off immediately for home.
Then I noticed that one Macaque monkey made it inside with us!
We land and as soon as I open the door he escaped! OMG!
If anyone sees a snow monkey in Southeastern Michigan, please contact Alley Jean at alleyjean.com so we can safely return him to his family and correct time in history.
Join me next week for another Alley Jean’s Brand Time Machine travel!
Signing off,
Alley Jean
Brand Strategist | Visibility Coach | Designer
Ps. Kingsley now has his own email address. If you would like to get in contact with him, please email him at kingsley@alleyjean.com
FOR all WHO seek knowledge and harbor an abundance of curiosity.
Welcome back everyone, I am Alley Jean and this is my dog Kingsley, and today we are setting the time machine controls for 1905. (Sound of time machine blasting off!)
So today is about the American darling Harley-Davidson logo. Here we are on the southside of Milwaukee Wisconsin 1905. Kingsley and I have walked all the way from a nearby forest where we have hidden our time machine. We reach the corner of 37th and Highland where the Davidson home is. Right behind the home sits a ten by fifteen-foot shed that will launch the legend of Harley-Davidson Motorcycle. The shed is made of wood with two windows on each of the long sides. The roof is almost flat with a single chimney pipe from the wood burner inside. Harley-Davidson Motor Co. is roughly painted on the door.
William S. Harley and friend Arthur Davidson had completed prototypes of the bike in 1903 and 1904 and now in this year, 1905, they’ve completed the first official number 1 model Harley-Davidson Motorcycle.
I knock on the door and a man greets us.
“Hello, can I help you?”
“Hello, are you Mr. Davidson or Mr. Harley?”
“No, I’m Mr. Pochert. I work for them.”
“I’m Alley Jean and this is my dog Kingsley and we have traveled a long way to see the new motorbike you have created.”
“Well, the only new models are over at Henry Melk’s garage. He is a friend of the Davidson’s. That’s where they are building them. They are going to start making them next year out of a factory on Chestnut street. There is a fella in Chicago named Carl Lang who has most of the new models. He is the first dealer for us. He has four. We may produce sixteen bikes this year.” Mr. Pochert explains.
Seeing the disappointment on my face he adds,” But right around the side here is parked one of the first prototypes from last year. It’s almost exactly the same except the new bike has a little bigger engine and the tires are white.”
He steps out of the working shed and guides me to the bike.
1903-1904 Harley-Davidson
There it is parked right alongside the shed. I can see every detail with the sun shining down on it. The motorcycle is exactly a motorbike… a bicycle with an engine. Something I like about prototypes and early inventions is you can see the future vision in its blooming stage.
The motorcycle is charcoal black with a single brown leather seat. The small horse-powered engine still also has pedals like a bicycle for starting; and when in need of extra power for hills. The nameplate on the crossbar is a proto-logo. Bright orange letters on a black band.
The true original logo will not be developed until 1910, five years from now. The quintessential future Harley-Davidson logo is a badge of honor in so many ways. It symbolizes freedom to speed up and to slow down and “take it all in” with the upward and downward cross arrow shapes. The bar that crosses over top creates a plus sign or cross which signifies positivity, dedication, and a way of life.
Orange is a great brand color that represents attraction, wealth, youth, creativity, enthusiasm, risk-taker, energy, warmth, opportunity, and self-motivation.
Original Logo
2021 Logo
This iconic logo tells you exactly what you are getting before you even see the product. The typography is simple, readable and in a sans-serif font that is easy on the eyes. The entire logo is a shield and bar that emulates strength, community, and a fun free-spirited lifestyle. It’s come a long way since the bold letters were painted in black on the first Harley-Davidson shed.
I ask, “Sir, could you please start this baby up?”
“I’ve never met a woman who liked motorcycles.” Pochert states.
It looks like he turns on the fuel and maybe an oil drip.
Mr. Pochert gets on the motorbike and begins to pedal with the back tire on kickstands. The motor revs and starts up!
He gets off of it and leaves it running.
I ask if I can sit on it and he agrees.
“This is so cool!” I shout!
“Well, it shouldn’t be cold!” Mr. Pochert says.
“No, I mean, this is fantastic!”
I rev the small engine by twisting the right-hand grip. With the bike on a kickstand, the back tire spins freely.
(Kingsley is barking and doing dance circles.)
All of a sudden, horse-mounted police gallop by with a frightened group of townspeople in tow on foot.
Mr. Pochert shouts out to a man, “What is happening, where are you going?”
“There’s a strange object reported out in the forest! We’re all going to have a look.” the man answers.
“Oh my god, I think to myself. I can’t believe this, they found my time machine. I am going to be stuck in 1905. There’s not even going to be hairdryers for almost twenty years!”
I push the bike off the kickstand, twist the throttle and take off.
“Let’s go, Kingsley!”
I quickly realize that this motorcycle is not very fast because Mr. Pochert is running right alongside me, yelling, “Ma’am, ma’am, you are chasing the police on a stolen motorbike!”
Realizing I need a faster way, I stop the bike and give it back to Mr. Pochert.
“I am sorry Mr. Pochert, thank you for everything but I really have to get going.”
I leave him standing holding the motorbike disgusted and confused.
As I run down the street I see a Model T Ford. We steal the car.Kingsley is loving it! We are now passing by the excited crowd and the Police are giving me the dirty eye.
We drive back through a field into the forest, ditch the car, and hightail it to the machine.
When we arrive there are six men already there. They are examining, pushing and pulling, and trying to find a way to get in. They see me.
“Miss, please keep your distance! Stay back! We are waiting for the police because we believe this is a dangerous object.” the men scream at us.
I must act fast and get these men away from our time machine.
I shout, “There is a fire in the town at the theatre!”
The men do not care and go back to examining our machine.
I shout, “No, I mean the fire is at the cheese factory!”
The men look up at me for a second only to go back to examining our machine.
I shout, “NO! I mean the beer brewing factory is on fire!”
Tools are dropped and slung.
The men stampede by us and head for town.
I quickly punch in the code to open the door and set the controls for home. Kingsley gives me “the lip” and off we go!
Join me next week for another Alley Jean’s Brand Time Machine travel!
FOR all WHO seek knowledge and harbor an abundance of curiosity.
Welcome back everyone, I am Alley Jean and this is my dog Kingsley, and today we are setting the time machine controls for 1970.
So, today is all about, Taking Care of Business; Elvis Presley’s infamous personal logo!
Being an eighties baby, I was hit with the aftershock that carried over thirty years later from the rock & roll earthquake of 1956.
The first time I heard Heartbreak Hotel it was biblical.
The first time I saw his face on a record… he looked perfect.
A rock-n-roll bible would start with, “In the beginning, God made Elvis.”
When I heard Lawdy Miss Clawdy, it made my heart race and truly dance for the first time. I spun around the room so fast I almost fell out the front window!
After Elvis had his successful 1968 comeback he began touring again and called his band, TCB (Taking Care of Business) This time period is when the TCB logo design was made.
The Taking Care of Business Band
So let’s go! (sounds of time machine taking off)
So here we are in Tennessee on June 4th, 1970. I’m sipping a sweet tea outside RCA Studio B in Nashville. Kingsley and I are waiting impatiently for the King to arrive along with other fans. I notice Felton Jarvis, record producer, step out of the building for a minute. He takes a look around and goes back inside.
A car pulls up and there he is! When Elvis steps out of the car he appears relaxed and in charge. He’s wearing a denim-like shirt (he can make anything look fancy) and a black silk scarf. His hair looks so soft I just want to sleep in it! He eagerly walks over to greet his fans; there are so many fans that I am afraid I won’t be able to meet him! Wait, the fans are parting like the sea… and he is smiling and walking my way! My prayers have been answered! I am so excited and thought this wouldn’t happen… and… he goes straight to Kingsley.
“That’s a beautiful dog.” Elvis says as he pets Kingsley’s head.
I secretly can’t help but to want to be petted also.
Elvis says, “look at that lip this dog has goin.” Boy, he keeps it goin’ too! I did thirty-one pictures like that.”
I reply, “He’s named after you Elvis, we’ll sort of. His name is Kingsley.”
Elvis adds, “I love dogs, I have two Great Danes at home, Brutus and Snoopy.”
Fans begin shoving pens and pictures to autograph and Elvis happily obliges.
Elvis begins heading towards the studio doors and on the fly, I make up a story based on facts I know. “I have friends at Schwartz and Ableser Jewelers who were kind enough to show me the final design of the TCB jewelry they’re making for you. Where did you come up with the TCB logo design?”
Elvis responds, “Oh man, I can’t wait to get those necklaces! How are they lookin?”
“They look fantastic, I think they’re going to be done in October.”
“Me and Pricilla just used the initials and we both drew different lightning bolts trying to choose one. She can draw better than me.”
“What inspired the lightning bolt?” I ask.
Felton Jarvis pokes his head out the door and tells Elvis, “We’ve gotta get started.”
“Walk with me.” Elvis says.
“Well, I have my dog.”
“You can bring him too. You can stay for a couple rehearsals.”
As we walk down the hall I ask, “What was the inspiration for the lightning bolt?”
“Well as a kid I read a lot of comic books. Mostly Freddie Freeman who was Captain Marvel Jr. My style is a lot the same. At the shows, I wear jumpsuits and capes like the superheroes I dreamed of being, as a boy. Captain Marvel Jr. taught me the most about patriotism and love of country. There’s a fella that used to work for the west coast mafia I know that had a lightning bolt symbol I kinda liked. He said it meant ”in a flash”. And there was a patch on my army outfit from the 3rd armored division that also had a lightning bolt now that I think about it.”
We reach the studio and there is Glen Hardin, James Burton, Ronnie Tutt, Jerry Scheff, and others all manning their instruments waiting for Elvis.
“What’s your name?” Elvis asks.
“Alley Jean.”
“Well Alley Jean stand over there and keep Kingsley cool and what do you want to hear?”
“How about Mystery Train?” I ask.
“Alright and then I’ll do Tiger Man for Kingsley.”
“Thank you so much, Elvis. We all love you very much.”
I hugged him and kissed his cheek. There was so much I wanted to say but I can’t change history.
Elvis went over to the band, mouthed a few words, and launched into Mystery Train which flowed into Tiger Man.
It was powerful.
As we quietly walked out he waved goodbye while talking with the band.
The whole way back to the time machine I felt like I was walking on air.
Now it’s time to set the controls for home. (sound of time machine taking off)
Thinking over the TCB logo I recognize that the lightning bolt symbolizes strength, spirituality, ancient magic, intelligence, enlightenment, power, and a light in the dark. It has been used across cultures since ancient symbolism began illustrating its significance and is also known as a thunderbolt. A perfect symbol for the alpha male rock star.
Monogram logos (abbreviated logos) are used effectively when a business has a long name and wishes to simplify the logo or mark using only the first initials of each word. They become more powerful when you combine them with a symbol. They are also great for family-owned businesses and have been turned into powerful high-end brands going back hundreds of years.
Join me next week for another Alley Jean’s Brand Time Machine travel!
Signing off,
Alley Jean
Wild-Hearted Brand Strategist & Designer
Ps. If you can ever get a bootleg of Elvis’ Nashville sessions, you can hear a Golden Retriever bark at the end of Tiger Man.
FOR all WHO seek knowledge and harbor an abundance of curiosity.
Welcome back everyone, I am Alley Jean and this is my dog Kingsley, and today we are setting the time machine controls for 1928. So let’s go! (sounds of time machine taking off)
So here we are at MGM Studios. (I got in by telling a stage-hand that Kingsley is part of a movie! Shhh!) Beautiful ladies and moving sets are whirling by! I can’t seem to keep my feet on the ground with so much going on! I can feel the glamour, drama, and creative sophistication in the air! Making our way through the wardrobe area is filled with glitter, beads, silk, sparkle, shine, and feather boas! Oh my god, Joan Crawford just walked by me! Wow!
Today is about the iconic branding of MGM Pictures. The original design of the lion logo was made in 1916 by ad executive Howard Dietz. Some say he designed it after the company’s owner Marcus Leow because his name translates to, “lion.” Others say he designed it after his Alma Mater’s lion mascot at Columbia University.
The reason we have traveled to 1928 instead of 1916 is that we are here to watch the recording of Jackie the lion’s roar being recorded, which will be added to the live MGM logo. Jackie is my dog’s favorite actor and I promised him we would see him! Jackie the lion will appear in over a hundred films. In real life Jackie the lion survived a sinking ship, two train wrecks, an earthquake, an explosion in the studio, and a plane crash in Arizona. ” (This cat truly has nine lives!) There will be seven lions used during the hundred years of evolution of the MGM branding. All the lions were known as Leo to the public even though they had their own names. Only the last lion actually was named Leo.
The first distinguishable uniqueness of all the different versions of the MGM logo is not the lion or the obvious play on the acting world, it is actually the title, Metro Goldwyn Mayer. Metro Goldwyn Mayer represents the merger of several picture studios into one powerhouse. Each word is in a different vintage font that represents the personality brought in from the individual picture studios.
The MGM logo has a lot of ornamental symbolism. The serif font shows strength and readability. The film strips wrapping around the prestigious lion in gold to create a high-end feel. The studio offered the motto, “Ars Gratia Artis” which is Latin for “Art for Art’s Sake.” It is a nice addition at the top within the film ribbon. And last, the tribal mask with the heart mouth with ferns around it reminds me of currency. A design you may see on a coin or paper bills. The word TRADEMARK is boldly stamped on the sides of the lion as if its importance is bigger than the lion itself. Being a film studio MGM was one of the first to create a live logo being presented at the beginning of every picture. As a child, I loved how the beginning of “the wizard of oz” soundtrack overlaid the lion’s roar. This logo works so well because it is the perfect introduction to the Hollywood stars that follow. It has an instant connection with the audience and leads them to their journey.
MGM “Leo the Lion” 1928
Kingsley and I make our way through the wardrobe department and sneak all the way over to the Jackie set. The set is boxed in within a tent for trapping the sound. I pull the opening very gently to get a look. There are two men recording. It’s as if they are filming a house cat and not a four hundred pound lion. Jackie is perched upon wooden basket crates in front of a microphone. A sound engineer sits in a chair with headphones just a few feet away from the lion, ready to record. A cameraman also just a few feet away calmly stands behind a movie camera shooting the event. Kingsley is wagging his tail in excitement. Then as I look down at Kingsley I notice that his tail suddenly stops wagging and the famous golden retriever curled lip forms and the hair on his back has risen. I look up at Jackie the lion and see he has locked eyes on Kingsley. A thunderous roar explodes from Jackie causing Kingsley to Scooby-Doo it down the hallway. I’m right behind him running as fast as an olympian. We tear through the wardrobe department with the lion in tow. Shuttering screams erupt. Clothes are flying everywhere. I think I knocked Joan Crawford down. A dress falls upon the lion’s head giving us time to escape out a back door. We didn’t stop running for one second. We get back to the time machine and quickly take off. The things you will do for your pet.
Back to the time machine and set the controls for home. (sounds of blasting off.) Join me next week for another Alley Jean’s Brand Time Machine travel!
Signing off,
Alley Jean
Wild-Hearted Brand Strategist, Web Designer & Artist
Welcome to all that seek knowledge and harbor an abundance of curiosity.
I’m Alley Jean and we will be taking my time machine through history to witness the evolution of branding. So let’s go! Come on Kingsley (my English Cream Golden Retriever) get in! Let’s set the controls for 1877. But, before I pull the lever to begin our travels I want to quickly inform you of the origins of the modern word, “brand.” The word was derived from the ancient Norse, Scandinavian word, “Brandr” meaning to burn. Now, many, many ancient civilizations use what I would think of as “proto-brands” or “ancestral brands.” Such as wax seals on letters, coin stamps, battle flags, and even vessels to carry goods.
These proto-brands for ancient civilizations were information that completed at least one of three functions.
Information regarding place of origin.
Information used to allow basic functions of marketing such as transportation, sorting and storage.
Information on the quality to remove risk and uncertainty in the customers purchasing decision.
Since the Industrial Revolution, it is now understood that branding is not just a graphical representation of a product or service. Branding is the communication of features and benefits that reach its audience with an emotional connection. Our focus will be on the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries where modern branding began.
So let’s pull the time machine lever and off we go to 1877!
So here we are in Staffordshire England. Let’s make our way to the local pub. Here we are in the pub. This is a place to meet, relax, where people drink and talk and traditionally play games like cards and billiards. And this is why we are here, a bottle of Bass Ale made by the Bass Brewery. Here this brand, with its iconic red triangle logo, will soon become one of England’s biggest beer companies.
This logo is the first trademark ever registered in England. Let’s have a taste. The taste of this ale has a thick body while still being thin with a caramelized sweet malty taste upfront. Very good indeed! Little do they know they will be producing 1,500,000 barrels annually by 1890.
Now this red triangle on the bottle is our focus. For the time, it was practical to use just the shape of a triangle because there were few logos of any sort back then. In its simplicity, the red triangle signifies vital energy and the brand name is underlining the logo in a handwritten authenticity. Let’s have a few more sips.
This logo and branding will become culturally significant. A striking emblem of trust. Bass Brewery will go on to become a pioneer in international branding. It becomes so iconic you can find it in the painting (A Bar at Folies Bergere) by Edouard Monet. This is proof that a simplistic logo can be striking and timeless and still express reliability.
I was finishing my bottle of ale and hadn’t noticed the great struggle Kingsley had been going through. As he patiently sat next to me at the bar he had eyed up a turkey leg being held by a passed-out bloke at the table next to us. The man had taken one bite and out he went. The leg was still clutched in his hand and fell to his side. Kingsley’s eyes were glassed over being overtaken by the aroma. His mouth was foaming to the point of looking rapid. Finally, he could take no more and stripped the meat right off the bone startling the man. The man held the stripped bone up in front of his face and fought to focus on it. Then he peered down at Kingsley and pointed. He shouted above all others, “That beast ate my turkey leg.” The tavern went silent. “Sir, sorry sir, please let me get you another, I quickly told him. “No!” he answered. “That ghostly critter belongs to me now!” I shot up from the barstool and began singing Celine Dion’s (My Heart Will Go On). I sang as if our lives depended on it. Every man in the pub was hypnotized. Some went into a catatonic glee while others placed their hats on their hearts. An abundance of turkey legs was thrown at our feet. Even the drunken scary man threw his bone to Kingsley. Everyone was now standing. I slowly glided to the door singing in octaves I didn’t know I had within me. As I finished the song we slowly backed out the door and the place erupted in applause. I must admit I stepped back into the tavern soaking up the frenzied approval. Then Kingsley and I ran our bloody bums off while everyone waited for an encore. I probably had a dozen marriage proposals coming my way which made me run faster!
If you are wondering why I chose that song to sing it is because I was just thinking about when the Titanic sank in 1912. There were 12,000 bottles of Bass Ale on board. Boy if that story can’t get any sadder. Oh, Jack, I would never have let you go!
Back at the time machine, we set the controls for home. (sounds of blasting off.) Join me next week for another Alley Jean’s Brand Time Machine travel!
Signing off,
Alley Jean
Wild-Hearted Brand Strategist, Web Designer & Artist
