From zeppelin to lightning
05/08/2016
The Opel company was founded in Rüsselsheim in 1862. At that time, however, the company did not produce cars, but sewing machines. At that time, the logo only contained the initials of Adam Opel, AO. In 1886, the production of bicycles was added to the sewing machines. Around 1890, the logo was redesigned for the first time.
Now the words "Viktoria" (goddess of victory) and the "Blitz" were added, but without a graphic representation.
The next revision of the logo came as early as 1909. This was limited to a bold lettering of the company name. The Opel name could be seen on the motorcycles produced from 1902 and also on the cars from 1909.
From 1910, the logo took the form of an eye surrounded by a laurel wreath with the lettering Opel.
The stylized zeppelin in the ring appeared for the first time in 1935. The zeppelin was also used without the ring, symbol of the wheel, as a radiator grille figure.
In the 60s and 70s, the change from the Zeppelin to the Blitz began.
True to the motto "less is more", the logo was simplified to a stylized lightning bolt with a ring in 1987.
Finally, the Opel name was returned to the ring not so long ago.
