What does the Skoda badge mean? The question interests many. The logo of a well-known Czech company that produces cars causes various associations. Some see a bird fling its wings against the backdrop of the globe, others a flying arrow, others ... Let's not guess! Let's travel in time. We learn a lot of interesting things from the past and the present enterprise, the formation of which took place almost 150 years ago.
How it all began
Let us turn to bibliographic sources that recorded what the Skoda badge means? The history of the logo deserves attention. But first, let's talk about the origin of the plant itself. The chronicle of the world-famous automaker is associated with two separate enterprises. The first is the factory of Emil Skoda. Initially, Emil was the director of the modest Pilsen Mechanical Plant, built in 1859 by businessman Waldstein.
In 1869, he bought the company and began to expand the range of products. Apparently, the grandiose plans of the Czech engineer, with excellent enterprise, have achieved their goal. The Škoda brand was famous in the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is widely known in the XXI century.
To understand what the Skoda badge means, how it changed, you need to study the details of the second birth of the enterprise. This happened at the end of 1885. The small machine-building plant Laurin & Klement in Mlada Boleslav (a town in the Central Bohemian region on the banks of the Jizera River) started producing a simple mode of transport - bicycles.
Linden leaf
For the mass production of machines moving with the legs of a rider, accessories were required. The organizers of the bicycle business Vaclav Laurin and Vaclav Clement purchased most of the parts in England.
They mastered a new business with great enthusiasm. Otherwise, it is unlikely these days that millions of people wondered what the Skoda badge means. The story goes: the first companion was a mechanic, the second bookseller, but both loved cycling.
The two-wheeled product model they invented was called patriotic: “Slavia”. It diverged well, not only in the Czech Republic, but also abroad. Residents of a multinational state in Central Europe of the dual monarchy of Austria-Hungary respectfully spoke about the Slavia brand (“Slavic”).
Experienced motorists know what the Skoda badge and emblem mean. But did all of them "dig" the topic deeply and know about the first "linden leaves", reflecting the Slavic-Gypsy roots of the product?
Emperor Wreath
The heart-shaped image could be seen not only on bicycles, but also on motorcycles, which over time the company began to produce. As often happens, manufacturers wanted something new. This is confirmed by the fact that since 1900, the Slavia brand began to disappear.
But more and more often the L&K symbol appeared inside the laurel wreath. The logo was valid until 1925. They say this is Clement's dedication to his partner Laurin. The eccentric, who adored humor, used the similarity in sounding the words “Laurin” and “laurus nobilis” (bay leaf).
A wreath of glory and victories, a symbol of imperial greatness immortalized the industriousness and genius of engineer Wenceslas. Well, it turns out what the Skoda badge means! Octavia is a compact family car of the modern version of Laurin & Klement. Comfortable, quite popular. A rare top-notch idea with bells and whistles - cruise, climate control, steering wheel with adjustment in 2 planes - the founders did not even dream of this!
Glory to the great mind!
But back to the past. In 1925, the company merged with the large company Skoda Pilsen. The L&K brand has gone into oblivion. The new company was called Skoda. We have already mentioned the "Indian associations." A colorful emblem appeared just in the twenty-fifth. They say that a servant from America worked in the rich house of Skoda. The appearance of the representative of the indigenous population of the distant continent, which Columbus took for India, inspired the director of SKODA to depict an arrow.
Eagle "cap" on the head of an Indian, her graphic stylized image with the addition of an arrow / spear, the fusion of the "head" and "arrow". All these are stages of a long journey. They tell what the Skoda car icon means.
Is the old sign more interesting?
At the end of one thousand nine hundred and twenty-third, two varieties of the brand were legalized by the staff of the Patent Office for Copyright in Pilsen. The winged arrow with 5 feathers and the inscription SKODA in the circle flourished in 1924-1925. The second option is an arrow with three feathers. In both cases, the genius pointed to the right.
It is believed that from 1926 to the current time, the "trident" is a virtually unchanged logo. Comprehending the secret of the versions, which means the Skoda badge, the author’s name remains in the shadow. They call two Czech sculptors, but who exactly: Otakar Kpaniel or Otto Gutfrend is unknown. At present, interpreting the meaning of the sign, they often mention the size and impeccability of production (the circle, it is the globe).
Interesting metamorphoses occurred in 1990. The emblem has turned green. Green appeared around. The inscription Skoda Auto.
Search for other solutions
In 1991, during the collapse of the USSR, there was a process called “perestroika”. The word privatization, previously unaccustomed to Soviet people, sounded. At this time, in another former socialist country, the privatized Škoda entered the Volkswagen Group (became a subsidiary).
The logo, emblem was interpreted in the light of new trends. Indian headdress (gear) - a symbol of progress. Arrow - innovation. “Bird's eye” (small gear) - the accuracy of the manufacturing process. In April 1991, SKODA bought back the copyright.
In 1993, minor modifications were made to the image. The color combination has turned black and green (traditions, growth, environmental friendliness). In 1999 , the “bulge” (3D effect) was added to the sign . White replaced silver.
By the centenary of the company, a SKODA Felicia car was decorated with an arrow with wings surrounded by a laurel wreath with a stylized number 100. In 2011, it was already a winged arrow on a matte black background in a chrome circle without the inscription "Skoda". It seems that the Skoda icon means, of course. As for the changes in the “look,” many people think that the old sign was more expressive.
Take a look at this iconic symbol on a white background embedded in a black and silver circle. Perhaps it will seem flawless to you. After all, everything is succinctly conveyed in it: traditions, environmental safety of production, innovation.
I wonder how the sign will change in the future? Will these be "cosmic changes"? Or will the good old retro prevail?