Feb 03 2006
Teddy Death Star
So here’s the original Ma Bell logo. It’s pleasant and friendly, right? No harsh angles, a cute school-bell icon in the middle. “Ma Bell will take care of you,” it said. “We’re your friends.” Sure, AT&T & Bell System were a giant monopoly, but the the network worked well and everything was cheaper before the DOJ decided to butt in and screw up the whole thing. Not a big surprise, really.
But this is about the logos.
Bell System was broken into numerous Baby Bells. AT&T spent giant piles of cash developing a new identity and logo. And they came up with the logo to the right.
Unfortunately, it looked eerily like this:
In the years since then, of course, AT&T has done its best to act like that second option is the one it’s really going for. Now there’s been yet another telco merger (SBC acquired AT&T) and it seems they’ve decided to use the AT&T identity for the “new” company. It was time to soften AT&T’s image a bit, so they softened the logo. The Death Star look is gone. The new logo has a some depth to it. The massive, blocky AT&T has been softened to a friendly lowercase “at&t.” Sure it looks kinda like Continental Airlines’ logo, but who’s going to notice?
I guess I just found the logo redesign funny when I saw it for the first time today. It was at the top of a letter informing me that my SMALL BIZ plan agreement would be lapsing on March 20th and that they were going to go ahead and renew my contract if they didn’t hear from me. For about $130 a month I get two phone lines and voicemail. They want to lock me in for another full year. To me, that’s not friendly. Maybe I’d have felt better if AT&T’s agency had come up with something even friendlier, like my little buddy here.
Though honestly, it would probably be more accurate if they went with a slightly modified version.
Hmmmm, now that you mention it I guess it did look like a death star. I don’t care for the new ball although it does look more up to date. Your teddy bear is cute but I’d never trust it. We here in Cinci have Cincinnati Bell which is actually pretty good. We have unlimited long distance, internet service (dsl) and 2 cell phones for about $150 a month and no contract. We also get caller ID and call waiting under that fee. I think that is pretty good.
Sorry that they are trying to get you to sign a contract.
LOL! Love the Death Star look! I never thought of that.
Don’t you hate when these companies assume you want to ‘continue your contract’ unless you contact them to tell them otherwise?
Oh man, it so looked like the deathstar.
SBC aid to At&T ” Come to the dark siiide. Together we can rule the universe!!” MAybe they’ll merge with the other obnoxious overcharging company known by their stupid mouse mascot.
The Disney corporation.
Somebody’s still bitter about “The Incredibles on Ice,” I see. :p
“Stupid mouse mascot” WOW that is HARSH!
Hey I got our bill from Cincinnati Bell the other day. They are still using the original “Ma Bell” Logo. I feel so warm and squishy inside.
I’ve never been much of a Disney fan, at least not the old traditional disney stuff. (Disney with Pixar is a different story.) And I’ve never liked Mickey. He’s always gotten on my nerves.
What doesn’t?
Bugs Bunny, good music, open minded people, Tasty food, newer Disney stuff,(with Pixar) a good thrill ride. People that drive at LEAST the speed limit or as least possess common sense. The list goes on and on. I’m really not as negative as you obviously seem to think.
This is Jim F, in my kitchen, on B’s laptop (currently holding a 27 on someone’s Netgear — love the new neighborhood)
Bruno and I and the five kids we currently have bungee corded together in the basement wish you a happy Sunday.
Fondly, the Cincy contingent.
P.S. We are rooting for the US in the Olympics.
P.P.S. Send help.
Sorry Jim K, I was obviously having a PMS day and was sick of negative comments in general. You happened to be an easy target at that particular moment.