According to the history books, the first mention of Mercedes-Benz (in part) was in 1926, under the brand name Daimler-Benz. However, its origins – as well as the story behind its famous three-point star logo – go back further still.
Gottlieb Daimler, one of the founders of Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft, was touring the German countryside for a suitable area to build his first factory.
Upon finding the appropriate spot, he purchased a post card in the 1870s of the landscape beyond. Gottlieb marked where he was staying on the postcard so his wife would know, and highlighted it with a three-point star. “One day, this star will shine over our triumphant factories,” he wrote.
Â
Years later Gottlieb passed away, handing the company over to his sons, Paul and Adolf Daimler. The two started producing vehicles under the Mercedes brand name in 1901, and after almost a decade of success decided to attach a symbol of the brand atop the bonnets of their vehicles.
In June 1909, the company registered both three and four-point stars but has only used the three-point star since. The logo has seen various makeovers in its lifetime – especially after a fruitful merger with Karl Benz in 1926 – but to this day, remains a faithful homage to the original.