From mythical beast to Pegasus

Previously when I introduced MARCHAL’s endorsement cat (Related review: A must-read for car racing officials! Lu Yi Lu, the most famous cat in the car racing field Meow), a friend once asked what the origin of the many horses that appeared on the side of the car was, but because I was too precious to describe the details, I dared to answer conservatively and said it was a Ferrari, although I vaguely felt that what the brother wanted to ask was actually It's Mobil's Pegasus... By the way, the Prancing Horse in Ferrari's graphic trademark is a real horse, but this Pegasus, the crystallization of the legendary banshee Medusa and Poseidon, can be described as a mythical beast!

▲How awesome is this mythical beast? Even Andy Warhol, the leader of pop art, used it for his creations!

The origin of the trademark of this mythical animal on the rim can be traced back to Vacuum Oil, a New York oil company founded in 1866. At that time, the company mainly engaged in lubricants for carriages and steam engines. Three years after its establishment, it began to use common The image of the mythical beast-shaped drain spout (Gargoyle) in ancient Western buildings is a trademark. It is also red, which can be said to be ugly and eye-catching.

▲The ugly and eye-catching early Vacuum Oil graphic trademark?-?Gargoyle

▲Another Vacuum Oil poster, pay attention to the drain spout mythical beast in the lower right corner

In 1879, Vacuum was acquired by Rockefeller's oil empire, Standard Oil; in 1899, the Mobilgas trademark appeared; in 1911, the Standard Oil empire was split into 34 small companies by the Sherman Antitrust Act, and Vacuum became independent again. At the same time, Standard Oil New York Company Socony was also established. In the same year, Vacuum South Africa began to use the Pegasus image graphic trademark, which represents speed and power; a year later, Socony registered the Mobiloil word trademark.

▲When Pegasus first became a trademark, it was black and white.

However, the world's trends must be divided over time. In 1931, Socony and Vacuum rejoined the same family, and Socony-Vacuum was born. After a short period of time, the Gargoyle mythical beast was used. Shortly after the shaped drain spout graphic was paired with the Mobiloil word trademark, a registered trademark with Pegasus as the main pattern, Mobilgas or Mobiloil large characters and Socony-Vacuum small characters surrounded by a shield-shaped frame was born in 1932 (as shown in Andy Warhol's work).

▲Mobil oil product display stand at that time, pay attention to its logo

In 1955, Socony-Vacuum changed its name to Socony? Mobil? Oil, and the word trademark was also simplified to Mobil; and by 1966 The company was renamed Mobil Oil again, and the Pegasus graphic trademark gradually faded out of the market from then on.

▲The Mobil logo from 1955 to 1966

▲The Mobil tanker of that year shows two generations of Pegasus in the same frame

▲The image of Pegasus gradually fades

It is worth mentioning that in 1999, Mobil Oil merged with Exxon Company, which was developed from SONJ Standard Oil New Jersey Company, one of the 34 former Standard Oil companies, and the oil giant ExxonMobil ExxonMobil was born...

▲Mobil trademarks in different periods

▲The cooperation between Mobil and Porsche seems to date back to the 356 period. Does anyone know the handsome guy driving a 356 Speedster in the photo?

Mobil 1 is still active in the racing arena

Although the Pegasus trademark, which symbolizes speed and power and even freedom and uninhibitedness, has faded from the stage of history, Mobil’s pursuit of speed has not. Stopping, in 1974, Mobil launched a new automotive oil product line - Mobil 1 Mobil One, and systematic sponsorship of automobile events began immediately.

▲The Benetton B188 of the 1988 F1 season sponsored by Mobil

The history of the Mobil One brand in motorsports can be traced back to a series of rally events held in the early 1970s. In 1978, Mobil One finally appeared in the F1 Grand Prix, one of the top events in motor sports. That year, they became the sponsor of the Williams Racing Team. In 1987, Mobil 1 entered the prestigious NASCAR race in the United States. The No. 27 car driven by Rusty Wallace was filled with lubricants from Mobil.

▲Porsche Racing and Mobil 1

Mobil 1 synthetic motor oil, which has withstood the rigorous test of top automotive events, has won the favor of more automotive technicians, racing drivers, team owners, and even Recognized by the world's leading automobile manufacturer, it has become the title sponsor of Porsche's single-brand event, the Porsche Super Cup, since 2009. In addition, Mobil is currently a sponsor of Chevrolet Performance and Toyota Racing Development.

▲The magic car is also inseparable from Mobil One

- Nicknamed Invincible Wave

The first draft was published in Lyon, France on May 11, 2020

Text | Nicknamed Wudibo

Pictures | Internet

This article comes from the author of Autohome Chejiahao and does not represent the views and positions of Autohome.