De Dion-Bouton was a renowned French automobile manufacturer founded by Count Albert de Dion, Georges Bouton, and Charles Trépardoux. Operating from the late 19th century to the early 20th century, the company played a significant role in the development of the automobile industry. Known for their innovative designs and engineering prowess, De Dion-Bouton produced a wide range of vehicles, including cars, tricycles, and motorcycles. They operated primarily in Paris, France, and their vehicles gained popularity worldwide, contributing to the growth of the automotive market.
Meaning and history
De Dion-Bouton, founded by Jules-Albert de Dion, George Bouton, and Trépardoux in 1883, was a pioneering French automobile manufacturer. Their main achievements include being one of the first companies to mass-produce automobiles, specializing in steam-powered vehicles initially and later transitioning to internal combustion engines. De Dion-Bouton became renowned for their high-quality engineering and innovative designs, such as the De Dion tube suspension system. Despite their success in the early 20th century, the company faced financial difficulties in the 1920s and eventually ceased automobile production in 1932. Currently, De Dion-Bouton is no longer active in the automotive industry.
What is De Dion-Bouton?
De Dion-Bouton was a French automobile manufacturer that operated from 1883 to 1932. They were known for their production of automobiles, motorcycles, and tricycles, and played a significant role in the early development of motorized transportation.
1883 – 1908
The very first logo of the De Dion Bouton company was created in 1883 and stayed active for more than two decades. It was a stylized black lettering written against a transparent background without any color or graphical additions. The inscription was set in a handwritten script font with the thick black underlined combing from the tail of the last letter.
1908 – 1968
The redesign of 1908 introduced something completely new for the brand: it was a bold circular medallion with a wide black frame decorated by thin golden lines. The central part of the badge was set in white and featured a wheel pattern, drawn with the help of the same straight gold lines, and a central element with a black roundel in a frame accompanied by four wing-like elements. It was quite a nice depiction of speed and motion.
1916 – 1968
Another version of the De Dion Bouton badge was introduced in 1916, and it looked more like the original logo of the company. The badge boasted a sleek solid black lettering in two levels, executed in a slanted cursive typeface with thick bars, elegant contours, and straight cuts of the lines. This badge was used along with the one, created in 1908, up to the closure of the brand.