Northern Pacific Railway - Trademark Design and Origin

Trademark Design and Origin

The design of Northern Pacific's trademark was discovered and adapted to its present use in 1893. Edwin Harrison McHenry Mr. Charles S. Fee, then, as now, the Chief Engineer and General Passenger and Ticket Agent of the Company, respectively, are principally to be credited with its discovery and adoption. The Northern Pacific was in search of a trademark. Many designs had been considered and rejected. Mr. McHenry, while visiting the Korean exhibit at the Chicago World's Fair, was struck with a geometric design, a Taijitu, that appeared on the Korean flag. It was simple, yet effective — plain, yet striking. At once the idea came to him that it was just the symbol for the long-sought-for trademark. With but 'slight' modification it lent itself readily to the purpose. When rendered in red and black the symbol becomes a monad, similar to the monad symbol used by the Technocracy Movement. Though, this appears to be a coincidence.

After Mr. McHenry returned to St. Paul, Mr. Fee sent to him several designs bearing on the trademark idea, for elaboration in his drafting-room. Mr. McHenry added to them the Korean figure. Mr. Fee was at once impressed with this, added the words, "Yellowstone Park Line," and sent the trademark forth into the world emblazoned upon the company's folders. The symbol impressed every one favorably, and has, from the first, attracted universal attention. Upon the organization of the Northern Pacific Railway— the old company having previously been under a receivership — the design was formally adopted as a trademark. Mr. Edward D. Adams, chairman of the Board of Directors, adopted it for the corporate seal of the new company, and had it engraved upon the company's securities.