I don’t know what to call it, only it was a popular motif in the 1950’s-it is that “boomerang” shape-like the trademark that Speedo puts on their swimsuits.
Designers used the shape for everything-coffee tables, trays, even pictures.
Is there a formal name for it?
And, what caused the interest in this thing/shape to die out?
I think that design motif was just called a boomerang shape… edged out by paisley prints in the 60’s, among other things. All that mid-century, early Space Age modern stuff enjoyed a strong revival in the early-mid 1990’s though. As for the really classic Modern stuff (original Eames chairs and such) – it never goes out of style!
The general style is called Googie.
The flying wing jet was state of the art at the time and might have been the basis for that shape.
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/YB49-2_300.jpg
You know, Ralph, when you post a question like this it would be really cool if you would take a moment or two to actually find a picture of the symbol you’re talking about and link to it. That way, you’re not asking everybody else to Google around and guess whether they’ve found what you’re talking about.
(Just speaking as a member here, not as a moderator)
If it’s angular, and the apex is at the top or bottom, it’s a chevron, and if it’s uneven and pointing sideways, it’s an alar - at least I think so.
An early version of the shape was the Speedbird which first appeared around 1932 for BOAC.
This later developed into the more familiar BA logo.British Airways | Book Flights, Holidays, City Breaks & Check In Online
Speedo was founded in Australia so it’s reasonable to assume its stylized boomerang.