The Hidden Meanings Behind Three Iconic Logos: 7-Eleven, Toblerone, and Airbnb
Discover the surprising design secrets and hidden meanings behind three of the world's most recognizable logos: 7-Eleven, Toblerone, and Airbnb.
We see famous logos so often that we recognize them instantly, even without text. But do we really know the fascinating design secrets hiding in plain sight behind 7-Eleven, Toblerone, and Airbnb?
The Mystery of the Lowercase N in 7-Eleven
Founded in 1925 as an ice company in Dallas, Texas, 7-Eleven later changed its name to reflect its extended operating hours from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM. For decades, the logo featured a bold all-caps design.
However, in 1968, the final letter 'N' suddenly appeared in lowercase. While corporate lore attributes this to the wife of a company president who found the all-caps look too aggressive, the subtle design shift remains an iconic piece of branding history.
The Hidden Bear inside the Toblerone Mountain
Named after founder Theodor Tobler and the Italian word 'torrone', the iconic triangular chocolate features a majestic mountain silhouette. Originally modeled after the Matterhorn in Switzerland, the packaging also hides a clever secret.
"The bear of Bern is subtly integrated into the mountain's contours, paying homage to the Swiss city where the chocolate was born in 1908."
The Controversial Bélo of Airbnb
When Airbnb unveiled its new symbol in July 2014, the company intended to represent people, places, love, and the letter 'A'. Instead, the unorthodox shape immediately sparked viral internet mockery and comparisons to anatomical drawings and competing software logos, proving that brand redesigns are always a risky business.
