the dog and trumpet logo, ‘his masters voice’, HMV, die stimme des herrn, la voce del padrone ......................................................................................................................
	animal logos were definitely favored by the record industry. although nipper remains the most recognizable corporate icon of the phonograph industry, he was not the only animal mascot. with the success of nipper competing companies were eager to find their own insignia. --- the lambert company, a short-lived maker of cylinders, hoped to visually convey the durability of their celluloid plastic cylinders. in 1903 they adopted as a symbol an elephant balancing on top of a giant lambert cylinder with the slogan, 'can’t break em.' unfortunately, the cylinders proved more durable than the company, which went bankrupt just a few years later. --- this label was produced by an unknown manufacturer for the polly portable phonograph company in new york. the company filed a trademark application for the polly brand in 1925, claiming use on phonographs and parts. the application did not mention records, however - these records were given away with polly portables rather than being sold. --- insects are represented in busy bee records (1904), inspired by the last name of founder sherman bisbee, --- there was an explosion of labels named in honor of birds as smaller companies began entering the growing phonograph market. parrot records was the creation of noted chicago DJ al benson (1908 - 1978). --- back to the the nipper saga --- ------- monthly designboom newsletter ------- ------- ? comments and contact us ? -------