A Brief History of Branding: From Egyptian Pots to iPhone 13
Posted: Sat Feb 01, 2025 4:52 am
Branding appeared when two similar products appeared. Starting from the marks of craftsmen on clay pots, to today's brands that create an image and relationships with buyers. Unfortunately, we will only go over the tops of thousands of years: otherwise it would not be an article, but a whole book. But it will be an interesting story.
3000 BC - 1750 AD: Branding for the Herder
The main task of branding is to identify a product or service, and to distinguish it from similar products or services. In the beginning of history, this was a simple label to show the owner or craftsman who made this pot, or brewed this barrel of beer, or forged this sword, and so on. These tasks are easily solved with a simple stamp, like on the bottom of a pot, and now these two pots are quite different from each other. It is a proven technique that is still used: in some markets, brands are distinguished only by logos.
Ancient Greek craftsman's mark on an amphora
The word "brand" itself literally means "brand" in English, and originally came from the Old Norse "brandr". This word meant "fire" and "sword blade", but almost all words in Old Norse could describe weapons. The practice of branding livestock began as early as Ancient Egypt in 3000 BC, and in the fifteenth century the English began to use the word "brand" for this purpose.
Cowboys are into branding
The Middle Ages laid the foundation for branding — artisans’ marks colombia number data became more complex, and all the various coats of arms are the predecessors of modern logos. Modern logos perform different tasks, and are not at all as ornate, but those coats of arms already had meaning and symbolism, instead of simple marks, as in ancient times.
Heraldrie, an early text explaining heraldry, written by John Grullin in 1611
Symbols of blacksmiths and artisans of the 15th-17th centuries, from the book Symbols, Signs and Signets by Ernst Lehner
1750 - 1900: The beginning of brands
The Industrial Revolution, among other things, gave rise to brands. In the 19th century, the first trademarks were registered, starting with Bass Pale Ale, and then Guinness, and of course Coca-Cola. For the first time in history, there was real competition, and different media for advertising. Branding began with the first trademarks and newspaper advertisements.
3000 BC - 1750 AD: Branding for the Herder
The main task of branding is to identify a product or service, and to distinguish it from similar products or services. In the beginning of history, this was a simple label to show the owner or craftsman who made this pot, or brewed this barrel of beer, or forged this sword, and so on. These tasks are easily solved with a simple stamp, like on the bottom of a pot, and now these two pots are quite different from each other. It is a proven technique that is still used: in some markets, brands are distinguished only by logos.
Ancient Greek craftsman's mark on an amphora
The word "brand" itself literally means "brand" in English, and originally came from the Old Norse "brandr". This word meant "fire" and "sword blade", but almost all words in Old Norse could describe weapons. The practice of branding livestock began as early as Ancient Egypt in 3000 BC, and in the fifteenth century the English began to use the word "brand" for this purpose.
Cowboys are into branding
The Middle Ages laid the foundation for branding — artisans’ marks colombia number data became more complex, and all the various coats of arms are the predecessors of modern logos. Modern logos perform different tasks, and are not at all as ornate, but those coats of arms already had meaning and symbolism, instead of simple marks, as in ancient times.
Heraldrie, an early text explaining heraldry, written by John Grullin in 1611
Symbols of blacksmiths and artisans of the 15th-17th centuries, from the book Symbols, Signs and Signets by Ernst Lehner
1750 - 1900: The beginning of brands
The Industrial Revolution, among other things, gave rise to brands. In the 19th century, the first trademarks were registered, starting with Bass Pale Ale, and then Guinness, and of course Coca-Cola. For the first time in history, there was real competition, and different media for advertising. Branding began with the first trademarks and newspaper advertisements.