The Technische Hogeschool te Delft, the predecessor of today’s Delft University of Technology (TU Delft), developed a visual identity centered on the flame of Prometheus, a motif that remains at the core of the university’s logo. The institution, founded in 1905 from the earlier Polytechnische School, adopted the Prometheus flame as its defining symbol, a reference to the Greek mythological figure who stole fire from Zeus and brought knowledge and civilization to humanity. [1]
Design and History
The Prometheus motif was first designed in 1951 by Ludwig Oswald Wenckebach, a versatile artist and professor of modeling at the Technische Hogeschool. Wenckebach created the flame as a design motif, which was subsequently used on official objects such as the chairman’s gavel commemorating 50 years of the TH Delft. [1] Wenckebach also sculpted the bronze statue of Prometheus that stood before the main building, depicting the mythological figure as an athletic young man holding the flame that became the official symbol and logo of the university. [2]
The current TU Delft wordmark consists of the letters “TU Delft” with a stylized torch, the “T” bearing a flame on top. [3] The torch and flame refer to the legend of Prometheus, who brought the fire of knowledge from Mount Olympus to the people on earth. [3]
In 1997, the university’s executive board considered a complete redesign of the visual identity, which had been developed over nearly a year and a half by the Amsterdam design agency Total Design. The proposed redesign removed the flame, but the board ultimately rejected the proposal, deciding instead to retain the existing logo with a possible light restyling of the flame. [4] The decision reflected the strong attachment within the university community to the flame as a symbol of tradition and continuity. [5]
The 1983 version of the logo was later redesigned by René Hofman at Euro RSCG Bikker, producing a version described as more user-friendly, printer-friendly, and above all, more clearly a flame. [3]
Meaning and Symbolism
The flame in the TU Delft logo is the flame of Prometheus. In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and gave it to humanity, enabling humans to create the things they needed to survive. He also taught them to build houses, cultivate land, construct ships, and acquire knowledge of herbs and minerals, coming to be seen as the first engineer. [6]
Prometheus’ flame in the logo symbolizes knowledge, innovation and creativity. The name Prometheus itself means “he who looks ahead,” reflecting the university’s mission of helping humanity move forward through technology and research. [6]
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