I love how these logos often still reflect the initial small scale business, a Yamaha motorbike still features a trio of tuning forks for music. A Mitsubishi... anything.... has the three propellor blades of a Zero fighter plane. I made that second one up but apparently it's three Oak Leaves or Water Caltrops, a simple and enduring symbol.

[–] EffortlessEffluvium@lemm.ee 20 points 1 year ago

Mitsubishi literally means “three diamonds”

[–] azertyfun@sh.itjust.works 12 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I was going to point out the BMW Propeller but apparently it's a myth from 1929 and now my day is ruined.

[–] craftyindividual@lemm.ee 9 points 1 year ago

Well, at least we are partners in 20th century logo disappointment.

[–] BCsven@lemmy.ca 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

They did make engines for planes though right? bavarian motor works.

[–] azertyfun@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah but that's not the origin of the logo, which is just the stylized coat of arms of Bavaria. Then in 1929, 12 years after creating the logo, they ran an add that showed it over a propeller, and never really did anything to dispel the myth that that is the origin of the logo, since it's a much better story than "IDK we're bavarian I suppose".

[–] Gork@lemm.ee 2 points 1 year ago

Plot twist: Mitsubishi is secretly controlled by the Bavarians