Eleven years ago, there was a proposal to write the Bitcoin logo with two vertical lines. The Bitcoin logo is still as current as the protocol that it identifies.
A white B on an orange background constitute the Bitcoin logo, which conveys the relevance and disruptive qualities of the pioneering cryptocurrency. That logo seems to have arisen naturally, but the truth is that it went through its path until it became what everyone knows.
The first logo Satoshi created consisted of the initials of Bitcoin (BC) inscribed on a gold coin. This indicated its portability or transferability, as well as its powers as a store of value or medium of exchange.
An important modification that the Bitcoin logo underwent was the inclusion of two vertical lines through the B. That is a characteristic feature of some fiat currencies in the world.
The idea emerged on February 5th, 2010, when a user insisted on adopting the currency symbol for Thai baht (฿). That same day, the proposal to use the ticker or indicator “BTC” to refer to the cryptocurrency emerged for the first time.
Satoshi posted on February 24th, 2010 a logo with two vertical lines that did not go through the B. By allowing this central space, it favored the reading and facilitated the reproduction of the logo and the symbol both physically and digitally.
A Logo and Symbol Tailored for Bitcoin
The community did not accept the proposal to use the B (฿) of the Thai baht (THB), which has only one line. They argued that it could lead to confusion with Thailand’s official national fiat currency.
On November 1st, 2010, a user named Bitboy made a complete graphic proposal to reshape the visual identity of nascent Bitcoin. Members of the community unanimously agreed to adopt the white B, with a slight slant, on an orange background.
Graphic designer and pixel artist Nacho Rodríguez (“Pixel Nacho”) says that the Bitcoin logo may still be evolving right now. However, he considers that it fulfills its function of transmitting monetary ideas.
For his part, graphic designer and bitcoiner Rodolfo Buenaño believes that there could be a more advanced graphical representation of Bitcoin. In addition to the monetary connotation, the logo could reflect the disruptive and technological spirit of the cryptocurrency. The designer agrees that monetary graphical qualities bring Bitcoin closer to people.
Hal Finney, the first to receive a Bitcoin transaction, noted that two vertical lines went through the US dollar logo. However, he said that it was possible to use a single line on the B if users preferred it that way.
The Third Attempt Led to a Logo for Bitcoin
The stereotype of a demanding customer continuously requesting change has become popular in the graphic design industry. Designers also suffer to see that other projects adopt graphic lines that do not meet professional standards.
To ensure design consistency, the most common policy is to accept only up to 3 changes. In the case of Bitcoin, the third proposal was the final one, and it came to stay.
Each service or product around Bitcoin could certainly adapt the logo or symbol to its graphic line. However, the pattern remains the same, and people have seldom questioned it.
By Alexander Salazar
