FIRST logo symbolism [Archive]

Carolyn_Grace

13-03-2009, 18:44

I searched for this but was unable to find this.

I seem to recall that the shapes and/or colors in the FIRST symbol represent something. Can anyone tell me what these may be?

Justin Montois

13-03-2009, 18:48

m3rc1l3ss

13-03-2009, 20:06

Seeing as the name of the program is FIRST, could the shapes be symbolic in the fact that they are literally the first shapes that we learn of?

basicxman

13-03-2009, 20:27

I'm guessing the combination of shapes represents construction and engineering. Like m3rc1l3ss said they're the first shapes we learn of, this might mean we're continuing our education with all that we learn in the build season and beyond.

Whatever it represents, I know that those symbols sit on my desk on top of a trophy in which I see every day and reminds me how great FIRST is.

Phoenix Spud

13-03-2009, 20:57

I think that the shapes are the three main elements that our robots have interacted with over the years.
Circle-the ball years
Triangle-tetras
Square-boxes (stack attack)

I could be wrong though...

Tetraman

13-03-2009, 21:06

I think that the shapes are the three main elements that our robots have interacted with over the years.
Circle-the ball years
Triangle-tetras
Square-boxes (stack attack)

I could be wrong though...

The symbol was designed before tetras or bins were introduced, so the game elements didn't influence the symbol...however it is believed that the symbols did influence the making of the tetra and bin game pieces.

Ty Tremblay

13-03-2009, 21:08

I think that the shapes are the three main elements that our robots have interacted with over the years.
Circle-the ball years
Triangle-tetras
Square-boxes (stack attack)

I could be wrong though...

I would agree with this... but the logo was created well before these games. I don't see why the logo WOULDN'T have any symbolism.

Billfred

13-03-2009, 21:09

I think that the shapes are the three main elements that our robots have interacted with over the years.
Circle-the ball years
Triangle-tetras
Square-boxes (stack attack)

I could be wrong though...
I think you've got it backwards--many folks (too many, really) have speculated that the game pieces have come from the logo, not the other way around. If so, we'd have had tetras long before the fourteenth season of FRC.

Surely one of the old-timers knows the real origin. Baker? Copioli? Kamen? Bueller?

Tetraman

13-03-2009, 21:28

To me, the FIRST symbol always reminded me of building blocks...wooden squares that had shapes on them and you'd have to stack them together. To me, the symbol is both about both the building and growing aspects of FIRST.

Either way, there is no symbol other then FIRST's and it's very iconic for anyone who sees it.

Michelle Celio

13-03-2009, 21:34

The original FIRST logo was drawn by Dean's late father, Jack Kamen. It was "re-designed" in 2005/2004? I'm not sure, by FIRST based off the original work.

Billfred

13-03-2009, 21:41

The original FIRST logo was drawn by Dean's late father, Jack Kamen. It was "re-designed" in 2005/2004? I'm not sure, by FIRST based off the original work.The redesign was announced in the late part of 2004, just in time for the 2005 season. Technically, both logos were official that season to allow a transition. (That said, some old-logo items persisted, like the water bottles at the Championship or some of the lower-volume volunteer pins, for a couple more years.)

DUCKIE

13-03-2009, 22:36

I always like to think of the interlocked shapes as a physical representation of the combined work and cooperation of the Sponsors (Triangle), Students (Circle), and Mentors (Square) to compete in FIRST... but maybe that is just me.

FIRST Rocks

14-03-2009, 00:22

From what I know, when FIRST first started it was US FIRST, so the Red, White, and Blue colors fit that well. I'm not sure about the Triangle, Circle, Square though.

I'm interested to know if there is more to it.
It still is US FIRST. They dropped the "US' from the logo and common usage now that FIRST has spread to so many other countries, but FIRST is still officially registered a 501(c) charity organization as US FIRST. Next time you're on usfirst.org, look at the copyright info at the bottom of the page.

bduddy

15-03-2009, 01:00

I can't believe no one has brought this up yet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Electronic_Arts_historical_logo.svg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Electronic_Arts_historical_logo.svg

basicxman

15-03-2009, 19:12

I can't believe no one has brought this up yet.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Electronic_Arts_historical_logo.svg
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Electronic_Arts_historical_logo.svg

Huh, that's sure interesting...

Rick

15-03-2009, 21:22

Triangle: 3 sides
Circle: 1 side
Square: 4 sides

Triangle, Circle, Square = 314

Pi = 3.14

DeAnnaC

15-03-2009, 22:42

314 = Area code for St. Louis, MO.

dlavery

16-03-2009, 00:00

basicxman

16-03-2009, 00:05

The FIRST logo has some very specific symbolism associated with the elements of the image. That symbolism is more than one layer deep, and intentionally designed to make you think. Start with the Championship fields, and proceed from there.

-dave

.

Haha must you always screw with us dave :D But in all respects, what's anybody got against a challenge? Go dave

Dick Linn

18-03-2009, 11:36

A little info on the logo cleanup:

http://www.identityworks.com/probono/FIRST.htm

DCA Fan

18-03-2009, 14:50

A little info on the logo cleanup:

http://www.identityworks.com/probono/FIRST.htm
Fascinating find!

minisimon

19-03-2009, 23:49

I think that Dave is specifically referring to Archimedes, who proved that the volume of a cylinder with an identical height and diameter is equal to the sum of the volumes of a sphere with the same diameter and a cone with the same height and diameter. Reportedly, Jack used the cross sections from these three shapes to make the FIRST logo. Of course, this only explains the origin of those three shapes, so there's more to interpret.

Nate Laverdure

20-03-2009, 00:43

A little info on the logo cleanup:

http://www.identityworks.com/probono/FIRST.htm
I'm trying to appreciate the interesting material presented at the above link, but I can't get the Pepsi "Gravitational Field" (http://gawker.com/5150582/breathtaking-document-reveals-pepsis-logo-is-pinnacle-of-entire-universe) rebranding document out of my head.

Consider the similarities:
--FIRST rebranding document: "The new mark sings; it elevates the quality of every banner, T shirt or robot it graces."
--PEPSI rebranding document: "The Pepsi Proposition [will establish] a gravitational pull to shift from a “transactional” experience to an “invitational” expression."

--FIRST: "[The rebranding] illustrates the power of design alone to elevate the stature and appeal of an institution."
--PEPSI: "The Pepsi ethos has evolved over time. The vocabulary of truth and simplicity is a reoccurring phenomena in the brand’s history."

bduddy

21-03-2009, 00:41

The FIRST logo has some very specific symbolism associated with the elements of the image. That symbolism is more than one layer deep, and intentionally designed to make you think. Start with the Championship fields, and proceed from there.

-dave

.I don't know if you're trying to be facetious here, but doesn't the FIRST logo predate the names for the Championship fields?

dlavery

21-03-2009, 01:42

I don't know if you're trying to be facetious here, but doesn't the FIRST logo predate the names for the Championship fields?

and doth not the chicken precede the egg?

.

Nawaid Ladak

21-03-2009, 06:51

A little info on the logo cleanup:

http://www.identityworks.com/probono/FIRST.htm

I want the shirt that kid is wearing.. it looks so awesome :D

but way to go, now we have a game clue for something that really doesn't lead to a game. It just leads us to understanding more about FIRST

David Brinza

21-03-2009, 17:54

and doth not the chicken precede the egg?

.
I think the egg came FIRST - because it was laid by something that was almost a chicken.

JaneYoung

21-03-2009, 18:19

In some ways, the symbols of triangle, circle, and square - together and separately - offer a lot of food for thought. You can search for them separately or together and you are offered more food for thought. You can search for them in relationship to the names of the Championship fields and you are offered more food for thought. They can take you through science, math, music, and into the arts. They can also take you into philosophy and into the martial arts. You can travel many places when you spend time with these symbols. They are wordless as symbols but they contain many meanings. There is an interconnectedness with them as well as seen in the logo. These thoughts come for remembering their importance in geometry as well as spending time off and on following the string. I see it as a string rather than the chicken and the egg but, it boils down to the same thing.

I think.

jamie_1930

21-03-2009, 18:31

The symbol was designed before tetras or bins were introduced, so the game elements didn't influence the symbol...however it is believed that the symbols did influence the making of the tetra and bin game pieces.

What you think kamen and the other heads of FIRST don't know how to plan ahead?