Elon Musk's Tesla logo has hidden symbol - and people are only just realising
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Elon Musk's automotive giant Tesla, renowned for its electric vehicles, has an emblem that's become iconic, yet the true meaning behind the sleek 'T' logo remains a topic of intrigue.
The prominent 'T' in the badge is not only a tribute to the brand's name but is also believed to symbolise the cross-section of an electric motor. The logo presents a modern, stylised version of the letter T, designed to reflect the inner workings of an electric motor.
However, this detail had flown under the radar for many until it sparked a wave of curiosity on social media platforms like Reddit today. A Reddit user's question ignited the discussion: "Other than the obvious 'T', what does the Tesla logo represent? I've heard it resembles a particular part of the engine?".
This prompted a cascade of guesses and theories among Redditors, with suggestions ranging from the plausible to the playful. Despite the rampant speculation, a clear-cut explanation had escaped the notice of many at first.
Echoing a report by Mirror US, one commenter offered a likely theory: "The most plausible theory that I read was that it's part of a cross section of an induction motor.", reports the Mirror.
Meanwhile, another Redditor whimsically proposed: "It resembles a cat nose."
In a similar vein, someone else recounted their own search for clarity, remarking: "I was trying to look this up yesterday but I never thought to ask here. I could not find much."
A fourth person also remarked: "It's fascinating to me how many plausible answers there are here. Whether it looks like a piece from an induction motor, or a power line, or a battery in an electrical schematic, or evokes the Model T, or is like Serbian axes, or even bears resemblance to Mr Tesla's face, it's clear that the logo is a great piece of design - regardless of whether it was intentional or not."
The US-based firm, known for its electric cars and sustainable energy solutions, was first established as Tesla Motors in 2003 by Martin Eberhard and Marc Tarpenning to pay tribute to the renowned inventor Nikola Tesla.
By February 2004, Elon Musk led the initial investment round and took charge as chairman, before becoming CEO four years later. Despite the company's high profile, the true inspiration behind its emblem still prompts speculation.
It's reported by AutoPi that RO Studio was responsible for creating the Tesla badge. Initially designed to sit within a shield motif, the decision was later made to ditch the shield for what is now the unmistakable "T."
While it might look like a simple "T", the brand's honcho Mr Musk has suggested in an old tweet that the symbol stands for something more central to the company's core products: it is meant to represent the cross-section of an electric motor.
AutoPi has shed light on the design of Tesla's emblem, stating: "The main body of the 'T' represents one of the poles that protrude from the rotor of a motor, while the second line on top represents a piece of the stator. It creates a decent approximation of an electric-motor cross-section by repeating the Tesla logo in a circle, with the top of each 'T' facing outward."
Elon Musk is far more than just a significant figure at Tesla; he's one of its original founders, the chief executive, and the principal shareholder. By February 2025, he's expected to hold a hefty 12.8% stake in the company.
While Musk may have the largest individual share, Tesla's financial backing comes from a variety of investors, including prominent institutional giants such as Vanguard and BlackRock.
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