Adorned with foreign stars
Since 1909, a three-pointed star has adorned all products of the Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, from 1926 often combined with the laurel wreath of Benz & Cie. For around 40 years, the distinctive bonnet hood ornament remained the emblem of the South German quality products, until its elegance was also enjoyed on the other side of the Atlantic. From 1949, the Lincoln Cosmopolitan shone aft from three-part round lights, the masking of which could also be interpreted as a propeller.
The democratization of the motif only lasted three years: it even appeared three times on the face of the 1952 Ford: on the right and left in the position lights as well as its adipose brother as an ornament in the middle of the radiator grille. Studebaker (see cover picture) and Pontiac were even closer to the Stuttgart original in 1953. However, no one adorned themselves so prominently with foreign stars as the 1959 Oldsmobile, whose wheel covers unabashedly pointed in three directions.
Of course, this phenomenon was not limited to cars. Probably the most curious use of a non-Mercedes star can be found on the wheels of the 1955 Lewyt, the first vacuum cleaner with rubber wheels - and whitewall tires. Perhaps the intention was to highlight the outstanding ease of use. Or maybe it was just a funny coincidence.
