# What branded product has remained unchanged for the longest time? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 7, 2022, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373 "2022-01-07T14:31:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 8:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/41 "2022-01-07T20:38:46Z")
I’ve been to some antique tool shows. Pretty sure the fans would easily be able to spot differences. But good suggestion. Yeah - I had thought about pencils. But hadn’t gone through the effort to compare logos, ferrules, etc. ---
**Author:** ![Briny\_Deep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/briny_deep/32/17188_2.png) [@Briny\_Deep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Briny_Deep)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2022, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/42 "2022-01-07T20:47:04Z")
> [@Bonum\_Legatum](#): > > Morton Salt They update the umbrella girl every so often. The correct version was, of course, the one they had when I was a child. > **[Before & After: Morton Salt Branding](https://thedieline.com/blog/2014/2/26/before-after-morton-salt-branding)** > > Addison and Pause for Thought refresh one of America's most well loved brands: Morton Salt. Addison developed the masterbrand positioning and 100 anniversary branding. Pause for Thought designed the new logo and soon to launch... ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/43 "2022-01-08T00:57:43Z")
The General Electric logo (known around Schenectady as the meatball) has barely changed since it was adapted in 1899. There was a redesign in the 80s, but only a graphic artist would notice it. ---
**Author:** ![Toxylon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f05b48/32.png) [@Toxylon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Toxylon)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/44 "2022-01-08T03:14:23Z")
I certainly don’t suggest there are ZERO visual differences between hand planes from 120 years back and hand planes that were built last year, based on the original models. But the gist was that the 120-year-old designs are still used, as they have never been bettered, and really work quite splendidly. There are very few such complex products, AFAIK. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/45 "2022-01-08T03:28:46Z")
Riveted jeans? Abbey ale? Something alcoholic like Chartreuse or Benedictine? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/46 "2022-01-08T03:51:52Z")
Not as old as everything named in this thread but older than some: Bon Ami, 1886. > **[Bon Ami 1886 Formula Cleaning Powder - Bon Ami](https://www.bonami.com/products/bon-ami-1886-formula-cleaning-powder/)** > > For a natural clean Our original formula uses only two ingredients to clean life’s everyday messes. Together, soap and feldspar, gently and effectively clean and polish hard surfaces, including glass\*.  \*Not intended for use on coated glass with... ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/47 "2022-01-08T05:18:48Z")
The Trajan font has remained essentially unchanged since it was carved into the Trajan Column in 43 AD. ---
**Author:** ![steepone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/977dab/32.png) [@steepone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/steepone)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 7:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/48 "2022-01-08T07:39:50Z")
The Victor mousetrap has been in production essentially unchanged since 1898 > **[Victor Pest M156 Original Metal Pedal Wood Mouse Trap - 4/Pack](https://www.webstaurantstore.com/victor-pest-m156-original-metal-pedal-wood-mouse-trap-pack/903M156.html)** > > Quickly and easily catch mice with this Victor Pest M156 original metal pedal wood mouse trap! This mouse trap features consistent quality from a century-old brand. It uses no chemicals or poisons and can be used anywhere indoors or outdoors. With... ---
**Author:** ![Newtosite](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/newtosite/32/8623_2.png) [@Newtosite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Newtosite)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 7:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/49 "2022-01-08T07:56:18Z")
Campbell’s soup cans remained the same for 50 years. [Campbell’s soup get first redesign in 50 years. Here’s what the new cans look like. - East Idaho News](https://www.eastidahonews.com/2021/07/campbells-soup-get-first-redesign-in-50-years-heres-what-the-new-cans-look-like/) ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/50 "2022-01-08T08:22:06Z")
Twinings tea has had the same logo for well over 200 years and been in business for over 300. I’d be surprised if their product now (or at least one or two of them) was not pretty much unchanged from the early 1700’s ---
**Author:** ![Die\_Capacitrix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/die_capacitrix/32/9_2.png) [@Die\_Capacitrix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Die_Capacitrix)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 10:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/51 "2022-01-08T10:34:56Z")
They allege that the perfume itself is the same since 1792, but it appears that the packaging has had the distintive turquoise coloring only since 1928 according to the [brand history](https://www.4711.com/en/brand-and-history) graphics: [https://www.4711.com/en/original-eau-de-cologne](https://www.4711.com/en/original-eau-de-cologne) ---
**Author:** ![wombattver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/b77776/32.png) [@wombattver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wombattver)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/52 "2022-01-08T11:03:21Z")
The metal bottle caps on glass bottles came to be in the late 1800s. Some are twist off now, but many are still the same design and are removed with the same type of opener. Are sardine tins still the same? Not sure about the food inside, but the tin itself? ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 11:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/53 "2022-01-08T11:23:38Z")
Sardine cans used to come with a “key” to twist off the lid. Now the lid just pulls off. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/54 "2022-01-08T11:43:40Z")
Brit here. Immediately Lyle golden syrup came to mind due to its [19th century styling](https://www.ocado.com/products/lyle-s-golden-syrup-10622011?ds_rl=1290929&ds_rl=1291426&gclid=Cj0KCQiAieWOBhCYARIsANcOw0z8yQ3TwykX66Cvj3xNiBTmj9ElS2fqLaDkWf7JQ7ypqN56z-t8pmUaAuA3EALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds). And indeed, their webpage says the product and styling has remained virtually the same since 1883. There are probably lots of British products actually. Certainly there are things like Kendall mint cake, but it’s a niche product at this point. Whereas the syrup is still a popular product. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 12:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/55 "2022-01-08T12:53:36Z")
> [@wombattver](#): > > The metal bottle caps on glass bottles came to be in the late 1800s. Some are twist off now, but many are still the same design and are removed with the same type of opener. Saw a bottle of Hacker–Pschorr (founded 1417, so I quess pretty recent in brewery terms) that had no metal cap at all, just a Lightning-type lever stopper. That style of closure dates from 1875, though. As for the product (Kellerbier in this case), no idea when they came out with it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/56 "2022-01-08T15:00:24Z")
> [@Sam\_Stone](#): > > The Zippo lighter dates to the 1930’s, and the original model is still for sale. They’re a cool company. My gf worked on their advertising for many years. I had a very old Zippo that was a collectible, but in rough shape. They were happy to work on it and I was amazed at the outcome. When it came time to pay, they told me there was no charge. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 3:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/57 "2022-01-08T15:19:14Z")
The Bergara family has been making makhilas since sometime in the late 1700s or early 1800s. A makhila is a walking stick with an optional pointy end. > **[Our workshop - Makhila Ainciart Bergara](https://makhila.com/en/workshop/)** > > The story of the Ainciart Bergaras and our makhilas began in 1780, in Larressore. Our know-how has been passed down over more than 7 generations. Here’s a quick 3 minute video about them: [![](https://img.youtube.com/vi/-caKbJ8i7WE/maxresdefault.jpg "This $1,000 Walking Stick Doubles as a Weapon") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-caKbJ8i7WE) ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/58 "2022-01-08T15:24:46Z")
The talk about various biros and pencils makes me wonder about more rudimentary writing/art supplies like ink and pigments. E.g., I believe I bought some “Hu Kaiwen” brand ink once; a quick search says the company opened in 1765, but I understand that it is not related to the current one using that name? But if “Li ink” or “Hui ink” is a brand name and not merely generic then it goes back to at least the Tang dynasty. ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 3:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/59 "2022-01-08T15:59:53Z")
Fels is not an ingredient, it’s the family name of the people who started the company. “The original Fels-Naptha was developed by Fels & Company of Philadelphia around 1893. Its predecessor Fels & Company, was established by Lazarus Fels and son Abraham in 1866 in [Baltimore, Maryland](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baltimore,_Maryland)…” -from the Wikipedia article on Fels-Naptha ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2022, 4:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373/60 "2022-01-08T16:28:18Z")
The original Volkswagen Beetle kept nearly the same design for its entire decades-long production run, with the only change being an increase in the size of the rear window. Pretty sure that that’s the record for cars. Aircraft, though, go even longer. How about handguns? I’m no expert, but I understand some of the more popular ones have been unchanged for a century or more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-branded-product-has-remained-unchanged-for-the-longest-time/957373.md?page=4)