Posted on 04/08/2020 8:16:17 AM PDT by BenLurkin
The Worm was born, a decision prompted by the 1972 launch of the National Endowment for the Arts’ Federal Design Improvement Program that aimed to improve visual standards across government agencies.
Danne & Blackburn’s “cleaner, sleeker” design system—complete with a full Graphics Standards Manual—aimed to make the agency’s logo more universal and versatile. The Meatball was not retired with the introduction of The Worm, but appeared in more limited contexts.
Although the “simplistic, yet innovative design” of The Worm logo was initially a hit... affection for the logo had soured less than a decade later.
At the suggestion of Langley Research Center’s then-director Paul F. Holloway, who had fielded both complaints from employees and the public about the “despised” logo, NASA administrator Daniel S. Goldin killed The Worm in May of 1992 and reinstated The Meatball as the official logotype.
The typographic logo was unpopular enough that Goldin’s assertion that “Slowly it will die… and never be seen again,” was met with the applause of Langley employees, according to a 1992 South Florida Sun Sentinel article.
The Worm was relegated to only limited appearances on NASA’s merchandise.
But love for the logo quietly endured, seeing a surge in popularity in 2015 when a Kickstarter by Pentagram designers Hamish Smyth and Jesse Reed initiated reprinting of Danne & Blackburn’s 1975 NASA Graphics Standards Manual.
The decision to emblazon the Falcon 9 with The Worm for its launch, which will carry astronauts to the ISS, marks an official renaissance of the typographic logo.
While NASA is still deciding exactly how and where each logo should be used, the agency also hinted that The Worm’s reappearance will be more than one time only: “There’s a good chance you’ll see the logo featured in other official ways on this mission and in the future.”
(Excerpt) Read more at adweek.com ...
NASA has never renounced their Bronc0 charge, have they?
Most are likely NeverTrumpers, at best.
As a former bitcher and moaner, I have come to agree that transitioning away from the Shuttle to what is coming was a good decision for lots of reasons.
NOT the disposable part....
That’s Veger from one of the Star Trek Movie. (Spock Era)
It’s one color. How much could it cost?
It’s govt. So.. design and development of the logo, committee approvals of the logo, then specifying the paint, then qualification of the paint, then contracting out the paint for production to multiple bidders, the whole bid process and approvals, then application of the paint, qualification of the application process, don’t forget documentation time and any changes ......
I know... the operational part of a launch... not the disposable rocket part that falls away...
Not being argumentative, but isn’t that all done. Back in 1973? I agree though...I think we know who is putting up most rockets. A sticker on the rear window is enough.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.