Bra
nds are an integral part of our lives, influencing our choices and even our identities. But behind each iconic logo lies a fascinating history, and some surprising facts that you may not know. Here are some cool, little-known tidbits about some of the world's most famous brands: 1. Nike Nike's iconic "swoosh" logo was created by a graphic design student named Carolyn Davidson in 1971, who was paid only $35 for the design. She was later given stock in the company as a thank you, which is now worth millions of dollars. 2. Coca-Cola Coca-Cola was first sold as a medicinal drink in 1886, claiming to cure headaches, anxiety, and even impotence. The original recipe contained cocaine, which was removed in 1903. 3. Apple The original Apple logo featured Sir Isaac Newton sitting under an apple tree, before being replaced by the now-famous apple with a bite taken out of it. The bitten apple was inspired by a story about Alan Turing, a pioneer of computer science who committed suicide by biting into a cyanide-laced apple. 4. McDonald's The original McDonald's mascot was a creepy-looking clown named Ronald McDonald, who was intended to appeal to children. The company later toned down the clown's appearance and focused more on the "Golden Arches" logo. 5. IKEA IKEA's founder, Ingvar Kamprad, actually named the company after himself and his childhood farm, Elmtaryd Agunnaryd. The furniture company's quirky product names, such as "Billy" bookcases and "Poäng" chairs, are named after Swedish people and places. 6. Google Google's original name was actually "Backrub". The co-founders, Larry Page and Sergey Brin, renamed the search engine after the mathematical term "googol" (meaning the number 1 followed by 100 zeroes) to reflect the vast amount of information they aimed to organize. 7. Amazon Amazon was originally named "Cadabra", but the founder, Jeff Bezos, changed it after a lawyer misheard the name as "cadaver". The company's logo features a smiley face with an arrow that looks like a smirk, suggesting that the company sells everything from A to Z, and that shopping on Amazon is easy and enjoyable. 8. Levi's Levi's jeans were originally invented for gold miners in California in the 1800s, and were made from sturdy denim to withstand the rigors of the mining life. The now-iconic "501" model was first introduced in 1890 and is still popular today. 9. Rolex Rolex watches were used for scientific experiments and extreme sports, such as diving and climbing, because of their accurate timekeeping and durability. Sir Edmund Hillary wore a Rolex when he climbed Mount Everest in 1953, making the watch a symbol of adventure and achievement. 10 Guinness The Guinness Book of Records was first published in 1955 as a way to settle bar arguments about trivia, and was compiled by the chairman of the Guinness brewery. The book is now known as the "Guinness World Records" and includes feats such as the longest fingernails and the fastest marathon dressed as a vegetable. These are just a few examples of the fascinating stories behind some of our favorite brands. Whether it's the inspiration behind a logo or the origins of a company name, these hidden gems provide a deeper understanding and appreciation for the products we use every day.
