The Bang & Olufsen logo was created in 1932 by an unknown Danish designer. One spring morning, he came to the factory and introduced himself as Mick, saying that it was his nickname. He asked to take him to the manager. Unknown presented Sweden his layout of the logo of a new successful company. Olufsen really liked the idea of the inverted letter “B” (the so-called Pregnant “B” or “pregnant“ B ”"). Mick asked for only five crowns for his work (less than one dollar). Swing, who was known for his caution in financial matters, paid the stranger twice the announced price.
Twentieth century
In 1990, a 25% stake in Bang & Olufsen was bought by Dutch Philips. This strengthened the finances of the Danes, and by the end of the twentieth century the company was creating technologies that were much more advanced than most mass manufacturers. Judging by the latest Bang & Olufsen reports, in 2008 the company managed to earn record profits in its entire history. Last year was a very difficult company, for many decades, B&O lost money for the first time. And at the same time, the “Bang & Olufsen” style remains easily recognizable and unique. The Danish company still stands on three pillars - great design, fantastic features and high technology.
Prizes and awards
Over the years of successful work, David Lewis has received many prizes and awards. His merits were recognized by the Danish government and his native Great Britain: in 2003 Queen of Denmark Margaret II took an exceptional step, knighting him the oldest Danish order “Danebrog”, and two years earlier he was awarded the title “Royal Designer for Industry” awarded to the British for their great contribution to industrial design. The last title is doubly valuable to him, because for forty-odd years he has been living and working away from the British Isles.
"What happens if? ..."
At B&O, any creation of a new product begins with the questions: "How do we create a product that surpasses the quality of what we have already created?", "How to create an item that is not like the others?" or "What happens if? ...". After these questions new ideas are born ...
Any idea that appears in the head of the chief designer or one of the team members is realized, even the most unimaginable. And while at least one participant in the process doubts that the new product will satisfy all the needs of consumers, the project will be finalized.
Museum “B&O”B&O has its own museum. It presents all the devices that were created over the entire existence of the company. The exhibition begins with an unusual exhibit - a basket of eggs, which symbolizes the starting point of production at Bang & Olufsen.
