Röntgen Technische Dienst (RTD) was a Dutch non-destructive testing (NDT) company founded in 1937 in Rotterdam by marine welding engineer Lambertus van Ouwekerk, who pioneered X-ray inspection for checking welds on ship hulls.[1] The company later became part of the Applus+ Group and transitioned to the Applus+ RTD brand.[2]
Design and History
In 1962, RTD commissioned a commemorative publication, Staaltest: vijfentwintig jaar van kijken & kiezen, to mark its 25th anniversary.[3] The book’s layout was designed by Charles Jongejans (1918-1995), a Dutch graphic and industrial designer who worked independently from 1945 and taught typography at the Instituut voor Kunstnijverheidsonderwijs (later the Gerrit Rietveld Academy) from 1948 to 1981.[4] Jongejans’ clients included Ahrend, the city of Amsterdam, Goed Wonen, Holland Festival, and De Bijenkorf.[4]
While Jongejans is documented as the layout designer for this 1962 anniversary publication, no verifiable source confirms that he designed a logo for RTD in 1964. The company’s visual identity during this period is not well documented in available records. What is clear is that RTD operated under its own name and brand for decades before its integration into the Applus+ Group, after which it progressively transitioned to the Applus+ brand and became known as Applus+ RTD.[2]
Meaning and Symbolism
The company name itself carries direct meaning: “Röntgen” refers to Wilhelm Röntgen, the discoverer of X-rays, and “Technische Dienst” translates to “Technical Service” in Dutch. The name reflects the company’s founding purpose of applying X-ray technology to industrial inspection, specifically for checking welds on ships.[1] RTD is described as the world’s first non-governmental organization dedicated to offering commercial NDT services.[5]
Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
