{{nutshell|This page overviews the history of the Wikipedia logo, from the original US flag example to the current puzzle sphere logo. Originally written in 2003 by [[user:Jrincayc|Jrincayc]] and [[user:Eloquence|Eloquence]].}}
{{header
| previous=←[[../]]
| next=[[International logo contest]]→
| title=Logo history
| section=
| author= |noauthor=
| notes=This page overviews the history of the Wikipedia logo, from the original US flag example to the current puzzle sphere logo.
| The third place logos ([[International logo contest/Results]]) were appointed as the logo for MediaWiki by logo contest organizer Erik Möller on October 15, 2003. Designed by [[User:Anthere]] ([[:File:Tournesol.png|tournesol flower]]) and [[User:Eloquence]] (combination, concept), reworked by [[User:Aka]], vectorized by [[User:Chrkl]]; brackets fixed by [[User:guillom]].
|-
| [[File:MediaWiki-2020-logo.svg|90px]]
|2021-Present
| [[:mw:Project:Proposal for changing logo of MediaWiki, 2020|A vote on MediaWiki.org]] determined the winning logo, by [[User:Serhio Magpie]], on April 1, 2021.
| The [[Wikimedia Community Logo]] was created in 2006 by [[user:WarX]] as a public-domain logo intended to be free of trademark and visual identity guidelines, that community members and groups could use and remix as they wished. In 2008 it was [[Meta:Babel/Metawiki logo poll|chosen]] as the new logo for Meta-Wiki, replacing the [[:File:Wikimedia-logo.svg|Wikimedia movement logo]], with "Wikimedia Meta-Wiki" underneath.
|[[File:Wikibooks logo (2003-2004).png|102x102px]]
|2003-2004
|Developed by [[User:Rei-artur|Rei-artur]].
|-
|[[File:Wiki-textbook.png|102x102px]]
|2004-2009
|Modified by [[User:Rei-artur|Rei-artur]].
|-
| [[File:Wikibooks-logo-en.svg|90x90px]]
|2009-Present
| Developed by [[User:Bastique]], [[User:Ramac]] et al. in [[Wikibooks/Logo/Archive 10|a community discussion]] that began in 2008 (following an inconclusive discussion in 2006–2007) and concluded in January 2009.
| Derived from [[:File:Wikimania2006 banner.png|Wikimania 2006 banner]] by [[User:Kaganer]], vectorized by [[User:Tlogmer]] and text added by Guillaume Paumier ([[User:Guillom]]).
| The second place logo ([[International logo contest/Results]]) by [[W:User:Neolux|Neolux]] was appointed as the logo for Wikimedia by logo contest organizer Erik Möller on October 15. A version was adopted by Neolux for the Wikimedia Foundation on October 15, 2003.
|-
|[[File:Wikimedia Foundation RGB logo with text.svg|90x90px]]
|2006-2012
|Introduced in January 2006 based on modifications made by Wikimedia Foundation.
|-
|[[File:Wikimedia Foundation logo - vertical (2012-2016).svg|90x90px]]
|2012-2016
|Introduced in March 2012 based on modifications made by Wikimedia Foundation.
|-
|[[File:Wikimedia Foundation logo - vertical.svg|90x90px]]
|2016-Present
|Introduced in July 2016 based on modifications made by Wikimedia Foundation.
| The second place logos ([[International logo contest/Results]]) by [[W:User:Neolux|Neolux]] was appointed as the logo for Wikimedia by logo contest organizer Erik Möller on October 15, 2003.
| A [[Wikinews logo contest voting|vote on Meta-Wiki]] was held in January and February 2005 and determined the winning logo by [[User:Jasonp55]] and [[User:David Vasquez~metawiki|User:David Vasquez]].
| In the early days of Wikipedia, founder [[w:Jimbo Wales|Jimbo Wales]] uploaded an American flag as an example logo. Needless to say, it was never intended to be the permanent logo. See the following discussion at [[OldWikiPediaLogo]].
| In the early days of Wikipedia, founder [[w:Jimbo Wales|Jimbo Wales]] uploaded an American flag as an example logo. Needless to say, it was never intended to be the permanent logo. See the following discussion at [[OldWikiPediaLogo]].
|-
|-
| [[Image:Wiki logo Nupedia.jpg|90px]]
| [[Image:Wiki logo Nupedia.jpg|90px]]
| Nupedia logo
| Nupedia logo
|2001
| The Nupedia logo was originally used by [[w:Nupedia|Nupedia]], and was used by Wikipedia until the end of 2001. It continued to be used after this time on special pages such as search results.
| The Nupedia logo was originally sent to a [[w:Nupedia|Nupedia]] logo competition by Bjørn Smestad, and was used by Wikipedia until the end of 2001. It continued to be used after this time on special pages such as search results.
|-
|-
| [[Image:wiki_orig_logo.png|90px]]
| [[Image:wiki_orig_logo.png|90px]]
| Cunctator logo
| Cunctator logo
|2001-2003
| This logo was designed by [[User:The Cunctator|The Cunctator]] and won the first Wikipedia logo contest, which took place from November to December 2001. The leading submissions of that early contest (which is separate from the much larger [[international logo contest]] held in 2003) can be viewed at [[Logo suggestions/Leading candidates]]. See [[#2001 logo contest]] for more details.
| This logo was designed by [[User:The Cunctator|The Cunctator]] and won the first Wikipedia logo contest, which took place from November to December 2001. The leading submissions of that early contest (which is separate from the much larger [[international logo contest]] held in 2003) can be viewed at [[Logo suggestions/Leading candidates]]. See [[#2001 logo contest]] for more details.
| This logo was created by [[User:Paullusmagnus|Paullusmagnus]] during the [[International logo contest]]. After the two-stage [[International logo contest/Vote instructions]], this logo won with considerable support– see [[International logo contest/Results]]. The [[w:Main Page|English Wikipedia]] switched to it on Sept 26 2003.
| This logo was created by [[User:Paullusmagnus|Paullusmagnus]] during the [[International logo contest]]. After the two-stage [[International logo contest/Vote instructions]], this logo won with considerable support– see [[International logo contest/Results]]. The [[w:Main Page|English Wikipedia]] switched to it on Sept 26 2003.
| This "silver ball" was created after the [[International logo contest/Ratification]] as an improvement of the Paullusmangus logo. The English Wikipedia switched to this on Oct 12, 2003 after it achieved a general consensus of 21 preferring it, with only 3 preferring the previous logo ([http://meta.wikipedia.org/w/wiki.phtml?title=Final_logo_variants&oldid=18763 vote page on Oct 12]).
| This "silver ball" was created after the [[International logo contest/Ratification]] as an improvement of the Paullusmangus logo. The English Wikipedia switched to this on Oct 12, 2003 after it achieved a general consensus of 21 preferring it, with only 3 preferring the previous logo ([//meta.wikipedia.org/w/wiki.phtml?title=Final_logo_variants&oldid=18763 vote page on Oct 12]).
A new, internationalized variant was later uploaded without much discussion, as the previous logo was not available in internationalized form and the differences were considered minor. This is the logo that is now in use (in different translations) on most Wikipedias. See [[#2003 international logo contest]] for more details.
A new, internationalized variant was later uploaded without much discussion, as the previous logo was not available in internationalized form and the differences were considered minor. See [[#2003 international logo contest]] for more details.
|-
|-
| [[File:Wikipedia-logo-v2-en.svg|103x103px]]
| [[Image:Wikimedia logo text RGB.svg|90px]]<br />[[Image:MediaWiki logo.png|90px]]
|Wikipedia logo v2
|
|2010-Present
* Wikimedia logo
| In May 2010, the revamp of Wikipedia puzzle globe started in 2008 was completed, and new logo has been implemented along with the new Vector interface.
* MediaWiki logo.
| The second and third place logos ([[International logo contest/Results]]) were appointed as the logos for Wikimedia and MediaWiki by logo contest organizer Erik Möller on October 15.
|}
|}
== 2001 logo contest ==
== 2001 logo contest ==
[[Image:Paullusmagnus-logo (small) reloaded.png|thumb|Winning proposal by [[User:Paullusmagnus|Paullusmagnus]].]]
[[Image:Paullusmagnus-logo (small) reloaded.png|thumb|Winning proposal by [[User:Paullusmagnus|Paullusmagnus]].]]
This logo was created by [[User:Paullusmagnus|Paullusmagnus]] during the [[International logo contest]]. After the two-stage [[International logo contest/Vote instructions]], this logo won with considerable support– see [[International logo contest/Results]]. The [[w:Main Page|English Wikipedia]] switched to it on Sept 26 2003.
This logo was created by [[User:Paullusmagnus|Paullusmagnus]] during the [[International logo contest]]. After the two-stage [[International logo contest/Vote instructions]], this logo won with considerable support– see [[International logo contest/Results]]. The [[w:Main Page|English Wikipedia]] switched to it on Sept 26 2003.
Due to strong feelings by some Wikipedians who considered this logo inferior to the old one, the designer, [[User:Paullusmagnus]], put this picture on his user page in a bit of self-deprecating humor:
Due to strong feelings by some Wikipedians who considered this logo inferior to the old one, the designer, [[User:Paullusmagnus]], put this picture on his user page in a bit of self-deprecating humor:
[[Image:Terribly wrong.png|500px]]
[[Image:Terribly wrong.png|500px]]
=== Relevant pages ===
=== Relevant pages ===
* [[Logo suggestions]]
* [[Logo suggestions]]
* [[Logo suggestions/Leading candidates]]
* [[Logo suggestions/Leading candidates]]
* [[Logo suggestions/Humorous logos]]
* [[Logo suggestions/Humorous logos]]
{{Clear}}
<br clear="all" />
== 2003 international logo contest ==
== 2003 ==
*[[File:Wiki111.png|thumb|right|French Wikipedia logo, 2002-03]][http://comments.gmane.org/gmane.science.linguistics.wikipedia.international/448 French localised logo] implemented on June 2002 under French community fork threats, with some controversy. (The moment when [[mailarchive:foundation-l/2006-September/023033.html|some French community members]] took interest in international matters.) The French Wikipedia began to use the same logo as other languages in October 2003.
*[[Logo putsch]] on [[French Wikipedia]] (Christmas 2003).
=== 2003 international logo contest ===
[[Image:Nohat-wiki-logo.png|thumb|Winning proposal by [[user:Nohat|Nohat]].]]
[[Image:Nohat-wiki-logo.png|thumb|Winning proposal by [[user:Nohat|Nohat]].]]
The "silver ball" was created after the [[International logo contest/Ratification]] as an improvement of the Paullusmangus logo. The English Wikipedia switched to this on Oct 12, 2003 after it achieved a general consensus of 21 preferring it, with only 3 preferring the previous logo ([http://meta.wikipedia.org/w/wiki.phtml?title=Final_logo_variants&oldid=18763 vote page on Oct 12]).
The "silver ball" was created after the [[International logo contest/Ratification]] as an improvement of the Paullusmangus logo. The English Wikipedia switched to this on Oct 12, 2003 after it achieved a general consensus of 21 preferring it, with only 3 preferring the previous logo ([//meta.wikipedia.org/w/wiki.phtml?title=Final_logo_variants&oldid=18763 vote page on Oct 12]).
By Oct 17, after it was implemented, the vote had changed to 23 supporting and 12 opposing ([http://meta.wikipedia.org/w/wiki.phtml?title=Final_logo_variants&oldid=19174 vote page on Oct 17]). Arguably, the result is still somewhat biased– the people who were strongly opposed to the winning logo were highly involved in the final optimization process, while the people who were strongly opposed to the new variant quickly headed to Meta to vote it down as soon as it went public. In any case, there appears to have been wide support for the new variant.
By Oct 17, after it was implemented, the vote had changed to 23 supporting and 12 opposing ([//meta.wikipedia.org/w/wiki.phtml?title=Final_logo_variants&oldid=19174 vote page on Oct 17]). Arguably, the result is still somewhat biased– the people who were strongly opposed to the winning logo were highly involved in the final optimization process, while the people who were strongly opposed to the new variant quickly headed to Meta to vote it down as soon as it went public. In any case, there appears to have been wide support for the new variant.
There was some controversy (See [[Logo feedback]] and [[Talk:Logo feedback]]) over switching the English Wikipedia to this logo due to several reasons.
There was some controversy (See [[Logo feedback]] and [[Talk:Logo feedback]]) over switching the English Wikipedia to this logo due to several reasons.
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After a few days on the Main Page, [[User:Nohat]] uploaded a new, internationalized variant. The logo in use was quickly replaced with that variant without much discussion, as the previous logo was not available in internationalized form and the differences were considered minor. This is the logo that is now in use (in different translations) on most Wikipedias.
After a few days on the Main Page, [[User:Nohat]] uploaded a new, internationalized variant. The logo in use was quickly replaced with that variant without much discussion, as the previous logo was not available in internationalized form and the differences were considered minor. This is the logo that is now in use (in different translations) on most Wikipedias.
The New York Times had an [http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/25/technology/25wikipedia.html article about errors in the logo] on 2007. A suggested fixed version is at [[:Image:Wikipedia-logo thue.png]], but has not been officially blessed as the new official logo. See also [[Errors in the Wikipedia logo]].
=== Relevant pages ===
==== Relevant pages ====
* '''Information'''
* '''Information'''
** [[International logo contest]]— Describes the contest goals, rules, background, et cetera.
** [[International logo contest]]— Describes the contest goals, rules, background, et cetera.
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** [[International logo contest/Ratification]]— The final ratification vote.
** [[International logo contest/Ratification]]— The final ratification vote.
** [[International logo vote/Invalid ballots]]— Rejected votes.
** [[International logo vote/Invalid ballots]]— Rejected votes.
===2010 revamp===
[[Image:Wikipedia-logo-v2-en.svg|thumb|Wikipedia logo v2, English]]
In May 2010, the revamp of Wikipedia puzzle globe started in 2008 was completed, and new logo has been implemented along with the new Vector interface. See [[wmf:Wikimedia official marks/About the official Marks]].
=== Variations marking special occasions ===
==== 2010 french Christmas logo ====
[[File:Frwp logo Joyeux Noel 2003.png|thumb|left]]
|Developed by [[User:Neolux|Neolux]]; vector version by [[User:Mxn|Minh Nguyen]] based on work by [[User:Rei-artur|Rei-artur]] and [[User:-xfi-|-xfi-]].
|[[File:Old Wikisource logo used until 2006.jpg|97x97px]]
|2003-2006
|Developed by [[User:Uwe Kils]] and [[User:Wiska Bodo]].
|-
| [[File:Wikisource-logo-fr-en.svg|111x111px]]
|2006-Present
| A [https://wikisource.org/w/index.php?title=Wikisource:New_Wikisource_logo&oldid=206134 vote on Wikisource] determined the winning logo, by [[En:User:Zanimum|User:Zanimum]], and implementation began in May 2006.
|[[File:Wikispecies-trans 135px ohne text.png|89x89px]]
|2004-2005
|
|-
| [[File:WikiSpecies.svg|126x126px]]
|2005-Present
| A [[Wikispecies:Wikispecies:Logo Concepts|discussion on Wikispecies]] in late 2005 determined the logo, developed by [[Wikispecies:User:Zephram Stark|User:Zephram Stark]] based on a concept by [[W:User:Jeremykemp|en:User:Jeremykemp]] and vectorized by [[User:Isarra]].
|Temporary logo used while Wikiversity was in Beta.
|-
| [[File:Wikiversity-logo-en.svg|89x89px]]
|2006-2017
| A [[Wikiversity/Logo/archive-vote-1|vote on Meta-Wiki]] determined the winning logo, by [[Wikiversity:User:Snorky~enwikiversity|User:Snorky]], and was finalized in November 2006.
|-
| [[File:Wikiversity logo 2017 en.svg|89x89px]]
|2017-Present
| A [[v:mul:Wikiversity:Babel/archive/2017#Update Wikiversity logo|vote on Beta Wikiversity]] determined the logo, a modified version of the previous logo updated by [[Wikiversity:User:Julian Herzog|User:Julian Herzog]].
|Developed by [[User:Hansm]] and [[User:Roland Unger]] and used prior to Wikivoyage's migration to Wikimedia.
|-
|[[File:Wikivoyage-logo-en.svg|93x93px]]
|2012-2013
|A [[Wikivoyage/Logo|vote on Meta-Wiki]] determined the winning logo, by [[User:F l a n k e r]] and [[User:Yiyi]], and was finalized in December 2012.
|-
| [[File:Wikivoyage-Logo-v3-en.svg|89x89px]]
|2013-Present
| A [[Wikivoyage/Logo 2013|vote on Meta-Wiki]] determined the winning logo, by [[User:AleXXw]], and was finalized in August 2013.
|}
== Wiktionary ==
See [[Wiktionary/logo]].
==See also==
* [[es:Wikipedia:Logotipos_de_Wikipedia|Logotipos de Wikipedia/historia en Español]] -- history in Spanish with explanation of the current Wikipedia logo symbols
[[Category:Historical events]]
[[Category:Wikimedia history]]
[[Category:Logos|History]]
Latest revision as of 20:20, 29 June 2024
This page in a nutshell: This page overviews the history of the Wikipedia logo, from the original US flag example to the current puzzle sphere logo. Originally written in 2003 by Jrincayc and Eloquence.
The Wikimedia Community Logo was created in 2006 by user:WarX as a public-domain logo intended to be free of trademark and visual identity guidelines, that community members and groups could use and remix as they wished. In 2008 it was chosen as the new logo for Meta-Wiki, replacing the Wikimedia movement logo, with "Wikimedia Meta-Wiki" underneath.
The second place logo (International logo contest/Results) by Neolux was appointed as the logo for Wikimedia by logo contest organizer Erik Möller on October 15. A version was adopted by Neolux for the Wikimedia Foundation on October 15, 2003.
2006-2012
Introduced in January 2006 based on modifications made by Wikimedia Foundation.
2012-2016
Introduced in March 2012 based on modifications made by Wikimedia Foundation.
2016-Present
Introduced in July 2016 based on modifications made by Wikimedia Foundation.
The second place logos (International logo contest/Results) by Neolux was appointed as the logo for Wikimedia by logo contest organizer Erik Möller on October 15, 2003.
In the early days of Wikipedia, founder Jimbo Wales uploaded an American flag as an example logo. Needless to say, it was never intended to be the permanent logo. See the following discussion at OldWikiPediaLogo.
Nupedia logo
2001
The Nupedia logo was originally sent to a Nupedia logo competition by Bjørn Smestad, and was used by Wikipedia until the end of 2001. It continued to be used after this time on special pages such as search results.
This "silver ball" was created after the International logo contest/Ratification as an improvement of the Paullusmangus logo. The English Wikipedia switched to this on Oct 12, 2003 after it achieved a general consensus of 21 preferring it, with only 3 preferring the previous logo (vote page on Oct 12).
A new, internationalized variant was later uploaded without much discussion, as the previous logo was not available in internationalized form and the differences were considered minor. See #2003 international logo contest for more details.
Wikipedia logo v2
2010-Present
In May 2010, the revamp of Wikipedia puzzle globe started in 2008 was completed, and new logo has been implemented along with the new Vector interface.
Due to strong feelings by some Wikipedians who considered this logo inferior to the old one, the designer, User:Paullusmagnus, put this picture on his user page in a bit of self-deprecating humor:
French Wikipedia logo, 2002-03French localised logo implemented on June 2002 under French community fork threats, with some controversy. (The moment when some French community members took interest in international matters.) The French Wikipedia began to use the same logo as other languages in October 2003.
The "silver ball" was created after the International logo contest/Ratification as an improvement of the Paullusmangus logo. The English Wikipedia switched to this on Oct 12, 2003 after it achieved a general consensus of 21 preferring it, with only 3 preferring the previous logo (vote page on Oct 12).
By Oct 17, after it was implemented, the vote had changed to 23 supporting and 12 opposing (vote page on Oct 17). Arguably, the result is still somewhat biased– the people who were strongly opposed to the winning logo were highly involved in the final optimization process, while the people who were strongly opposed to the new variant quickly headed to Meta to vote it down as soon as it went public. In any case, there appears to have been wide support for the new variant.
There was some controversy (See Logo feedback and Talk:Logo feedback) over switching the English Wikipedia to this logo due to several reasons.
The first was lack of publicity for the poll over this, despite being linked to from many Main Pages, the mailing list, and w:Wikipedia:Announcements (the announcements page asked for comments on Oct 1 and votes were requested on Oct 13).
The comment page quickly formalized in a "Better than original logo / About the same / Worse" poll, which was conducted fairly informally.
The decision to modify the logo was made during the logo ratification process.
Some people were strongly opposed to the winning Pallusmangus logo and decided that the logo should be modified.
The number of people participating in the logo variant process was probably around 20 or so (at least until the logo was switched at which point it increased to around 40) compared to the 188 valid ballots in the orginal logo contest.
After a few days on the Main Page, User:Nohat uploaded a new, internationalized variant. The logo in use was quickly replaced with that variant without much discussion, as the previous logo was not available in internationalized form and the differences were considered minor. This is the logo that is now in use (in different translations) on most Wikipedias.