Original Brand Mark
1925
In 1904, Caterpillar co-founder Benjamin Holt added a new type of tread to his steam tractor. When photographer Charlie Clemens later saw the tractor moving over soggy agricultural fields, he said: “If that don’t look like a monster caterpillar … Just watch the undulating movement as it creeps along.”
Holt didn’t care for the comparison, but it stuck. When Holt and Best merged in 1925, the only logical name was … Caterpillar.
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The “Wavy Logo” was used until 1931, and since then Caterpillar has seen many logo iterations.
Did You Know?
Caterpillar machines were almost called:
- Mud turtles
- Platform wheels
- Railroad wheels
- Tread mill
- Paddle wheels