The Mercedes-Benz logo consists of a simple depiction of a three-pointed star that represents its domination of the land, sea, and air.

In 1901, when Mercedes Jellinek was just 11 years old, her demanding father Emil Jellinek insisted that her name be given to an order of 36 cars he intended to buy from Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft.

Mercedes logo 1902 (above)

Daimler-Motoren-Gesellschaft used the Mercedes name for most of its cars and registered it as a trademark in 1902. The three-pointed star came later, in 1909. Jellinek had his own name legally changed to Emil Jellinek-Mercedes.

1909

1916

On 28 June 1926, when Benz and Cie formally merged with Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft — becoming Daimler-Benz AG (Aktiengesellschaft) — it was agreed that thereafter, all of the individual factories would use the Mercedes-Benz brand name on their automobiles.

Mercedes-Benz logo 1926

The design consists of a simple depiction of a three-pointed star that represents its domination of the land, sea, and air.

2008

Silver is typical of the brand, and dates back to its involvement in the first Grand Prix at the Nürburgring in 1934.

Lewis Hamilton driving a Mercedes-Benz W25 at the Nürburgring

When one of the cars exceeded the eligible weight of 750 kilograms in the pre-race checks, officials spent the night polishing off the white paint so the car was back to its raw silver colour. (So the legend goes.) The car was named the “silver arrow.”

Mercedes-Benz emblem

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Update:

Mercedes-Benz lockup, and symbol 2009