The Prolific Evolution Of The 3M Logo Design

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1978 (above)

Hey hey! We start this incredible logo evolution of the 3M brand with the most recent which was introduced back in 1978. This version also takes the prize for having the most longevity: spanning over three decades.

The evolution of the 3M logo looks like a successful exercise in yo-yo backwards-forwards brand logo design. We zip from round contained logo designs (1938) to plain typographic designs (1937), oval contained designs (1952) and frilly leave edged designs (1954). From this linear display it really does look a little random.

Some of the logos are clearly alternative lock-ups rather than different logo designs which I presume are the ones labeled: I, II, III & IV, as well providing alternative designs for other 3M sub brands? Need to research this more closely.

What’s interesting is to see how close they got to the current logo design back in 1937 & 1952 with a typographic solution. Some of the middle era designs are just rather odd when you compare to designs previously used as well as the actual technical accuracy of them.

And what the hell happened in 1961?

K Found on Retronaut who provided this selection of 3M logos: Evolution of the 3M Logo

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Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1961 II

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1961 I

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1960 II

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1960 I

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1958

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1957

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1956

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1955  II

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1955 I

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1954 IV

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1954 III

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1954 II

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1954 I

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1953

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1952 IV

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1952 III

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1952 II

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1952 I

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1951

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1950

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1948

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1944 II

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1944 I

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1942

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1938

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1937

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1926 II

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1926 I

Evolution of the 3M Logo Design – 1906