Logos
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The Möbius strip, aside from the more famous incarnations of the recycling symbol and Expo '74 symbol, can also be found in a wide variety of other logos, of which to the uninitiated are not perhaps realised.
Researching these is trying at times. Background details range from an abundance to nothing. And then one has to assess sometimes lengthy documents for relevant details not always easily found. A lot here is simply collating material in the public domain but is scattered. It is not a particularly creative task, but one of merely organising. Time is always a consideration. Wading through lengthy documents is not my thing for relative importance. This being so, these entries are best considered as of a basic standard, commensurate with the time allocated by myself to the task. I simply give an overview as best I can.
Quite how best to organise these is unclear. For the sake of a modicum of order of sorts, I place chronologically where known.
1967, IMPA (Possibly 1965)
The Instituto Nacional de Matemática Pura e Aplicada (National Institute for Pure and Applied Mathematics) is considered to be the foremost research and educational institution of Brazil in the area of mathematics. It is located in the city of Rio de Janeiro and was formerly known simply as Instituto de Matemática Pura e Aplicada (IMPA), whose abbreviation remains in use.
The exact circumstances as to its instigation remain unclear. It is stated that
The shape was chosen as IMPA's logo during the management of former director Lindolpho de Carvalho Dias.
IMPA gives dates of his directorship as 1965-1969, 1971, 1979-1980. Given that the logo appears on a postage stamp commemorating the 6th Brazilian Mathematics Colloquium at IMPA in 1967. This correlates with his first directorship. Therefore a date of 1967 is the latest of the instigation, and possibly of 1965.
1972, Recycling Symbol
See the dedicated discussion for an in-depth analysis.
1974, Expo '74
See the dedicated discussion for an in-depth analysis.
1975 (possibly much earlier), Canadian Mathematical Society
The Canadian Mathematical Society (CMS; French: Société mathématique du Canada) is an association of professional mathematicians dedicated to the interests of mathematical research, outreach, scholarship and education in Canada. It serves the national community through the publication of academic journals, community bulletins, and the administration of mathematical competitions. Wikipedia
The society was founded in 1945
Details are sketchy, if not sparse. Surprisingly, for such a prominent body, there is no official discussion on the logo. The earliest recorded date is March, 1975, in the first issue of Crux Mathematicorum (originally EUREKA). I will place it under that date pending further details.
Quite why there is half of a maple leaf is unclear.
1983, International Mathematique Olympiade, Paris
The International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO) is a mathematical olympiad for pre-university students and is the oldest of the International Science Olympiads. It is "the most prestigious" mathematical competition in the world. The first IMO was held in Romania in 1959. It has since been held annually, except in 1980. More than 100 countries participate. Each country sends a team of up to six students, plus one team leader, one deputy leader, and observers. Wikipedia
This logo has proved impossible to research; I have nothing at all! The first of two IMO logos. Also, see the 1992 entry.
1992, International Mathematical Olympiad, Moscow
This logo has proved impossible to research; I have nothing at all!
C. 1996. United Kingdom Mathematics Trust
The United Kingdom Mathematics Trust (UKMT) is a charity founded in 1996 to help with the education of children in mathematics within the UK.
This logo has proved impossible to research; I have next nothing at all! I have only been able to find out when the trust was formed, in 1996, and so I tentatively place the logo under that date. Interestingly, there are two versions, likely updates, the second is as shown currently on their website.
The second logo was apparently by the Northern Bear design agency in Lichfield, England. At least since 2014
2000? Possibly much earlier, Dresdner Bank
Dresdner Bank AG was a German bank, founded in 1872 in Dresden, then headquartered in Berlin from 1884 to 1945 and in Frankfurt from 1963 onwards after a postwar hiatus. Long Germany's second-largest bank behind Deutsche Bank, it was eventually acquired by Commerzbank in May 2009 (see next entry).
Researching this is frustrating, with next to no detail as to the instigation. The green logo is also known as the "Band of Sympathy".
It was apparently designed by Interbrand Corporation. Interbrand has been a world-leading brand consultancy, for over 45 years – having pioneered iconic work and forged many of the brand-building tools that are commonplace across the industry today.
https://goodlogo.com/designers/interbrand-1295
Presumably, a Möbius strip is intended. The earliest dated use of the logo is 2000 (outside a London branch), and so I will tentatively date from there. It could be much earlier, possibly decades.
2002, Mobius Risk Group
Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Mobius Risk Group is a leading energy advisory, hedging, marketing, strategy, technology, and risk management firm. With over $30 billion in annual transaction support, we have established ourselves as experts in the ever-changing global energy and commodities markets.
Amazingly, nothing is on their site as regards the naming and logo! I will place it under 2002 pending further details.
Created 10 May 2024. Last Updated 10 May 2024