History of the Peugeot Logo
A logo is the recognizable emblem of a Company.
The Peugeot family history is directly linked to the eastern France region, Montbeliard. The Lion emblem is also on the coat of arms of Franche-Comté, the birthplace of the family. From saws to tricycles to motorcycles to automobiles, the Peugeot Lion and the products he was stamped on would soon become famous all over the world.
For a century and a half, the very strong and proud symbol of the Lion has embodied the image of quality associated with Peugeot.
1810
It was in 1810 that brothers Jean-Pierre and Jean-Frédéric Peugeot capitalized on the Industrial Revolution and purchased a cereal mill at Sous Cratet. They converted it into a steel foundry creating the company ‘Peugeot Bros.’ It is here that all sorts of tools and other items would be manufactured by Peugeot including, household utensils, coffee grinders, sewing machines and the frames for crinolines.
Their factory began producing sheet steels and various tools but it was handsaws which inspired the famous emblem of the company. From the 1850s the Lion emblem was stamped onto Peugeot made products to symbolize the strength and flexibility of the steel.
To identify the three levels of quality that characterized these tools, two other logos were also used – a crescent moon and a hand.
1847
In 1847 history of the Peugeot logo begins when the first Lion is designed by Justin Blazer, an engraver from Montbéliard for marking saw blades and steel products. The Lion emblem symbolizes the three qualities of the Peugeot saw blades:
- The toughness of the teeth
- The flexibility of the blade
- The speed of the cut
1850
In 1850 for the first time the Lion symbol appeared standing on the ‘Peugeot Bros’ arrow.
1858
It is in 1858 when the Lion brand is officially registered at the Conservatoire Impérial des Arts et Métiers. Back then it proudly walked on an arrow, and was found on a multitude of tools.
1889
This year was a historic year for Peugeot logo history, with the launch of the first vehicle bearing the Peugeot name: a tricycle, the result of cooperation between Leon Serpollet, the steam expert, and Armand Peugeot. The Lion is still shown on tools and bicycles.
1890 – 1905
The Peugeot logo was missing from the first cars manufactured between 1890 and 1905. To mark these products, Armand Peugeot, who had founded the company ‘Automobiles Peugeot’ made do with the words ‘Automobiles Peugeot’ which was stamped on the radiators.
1905 – 1915
Between 1905 and 1915, the profile of a Lion on an arrow was present on the ‘Lion Peugeot’ cars manufactured by the ‘Peugeot Bros’ company.
1910
After the merger in 1910 of the cycle and automobile activities, the company ‘Automobiles et Cycles Peugeot’ would put the old Peugeot Lion on its cars.
Initially the new Cycle and Automobile companies continued to use the Lion standing on an arrow. However, in order to personalize their trademarks, the different companies adopted individual graphics:
- The bicycle company used a Lion in combat
- The automobile company used the shield shaped badge which featured the Lion’s head, followed by the Lion seen on the Arms of Franche-Comté.
1920
It was in the 1920s that the Peugeot owners were proud to decorate their radiator caps with a Lion which was the work of the sculptors Marx and Baudichon.
1923 & 1925
On some models ‘unofficial’ Lions would make their appearance: the Baudichon Lion in 1923 and the Marx lion in 1925 were both named after their sculptors and are true works of art.
1927
The Lion in 1927 would be seen crouching down on three legs perched on a spur on the edge of a precipice, ready to pounce on its prey.
1932
In 1932 the Lion logo was modified to suit the advertising and exhibition needs of the time.
1933
It was this year that a more realistic Lion adorned the grilles of the Peugeot cars after the Paris Exhibition which was in 1933.
1948
The heraldic Lion made its appearance on the 203. It is rearing up on its hind legs, to adopt the familiar posture of the Lion on the coat of arms of Franche-Comté, birthplace of the business.
1958
It was in September of 1958 that the roaring Lion that had adorned the bonnet of Peugeots since the 1930s was discontinued for security reasons, thus ending an era.
1965
In 1965 the company became a holding company under the name ‘Peugeot S.A, and again the logo is changed; just the Lion’s head is shown framed in a triangular shield.
1968
It was in this year that the curved lines were abandoned in favor of an angular design which framed the Lion’s head in a square. Making a brand sign as it is today. The cars’ radiator grills in the meantime continue to sport the heraldic Lion.
1976
In 1976 a new structure, the PSA Peugeot-Citroen holding company brought together Peugeot and Citroen and then purchased the Chrysler Corporation.
With so much happening to disturb the identity of the Peugeot brand, they went back to the heraldic Lion with a refined design.
The 205 would be the best ambassador for this visual identity and would sell successfully.
1998
In 1998 again the visual identity of the Peugeot Lion changed and it appeared as a metallic block on a blue square background. Its paws reinforce the power and balance of this very famous feline and the piercing blue eye symbolizes the long-term vision of the make.
The Lion is now complete and metalized to apply to the brand’s values which are sure, dynamic, and aesthetic and is included in the design of its latest models.
2002
In 2002 the Peugeot Lion is called the ‘Blue Brand’ and the logo changes again to better reflect the Peugeot brand’s ambitions. Black has been added to the blue to show the Lion’s shadow. Balanced in shape and proportions, the logo and the car Brand are by now indivisible and their unity creates strength