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Madison Burgess
Elon Musk’s electric car brand Tesla has established itself as a household name and is easily recognisable to most by its iconic T logo.
However, even the most knowledgeable car fanatics may not know the hidden meaning behind the design choice. The sleek silver letter is not just a nod to the brand’s name; in fact, it has a deeper meaning behind it.
Taking to Reddit this week, those who were curious struck up a conversation on how the billionaire CEO chose the logo.
Someone questioned: "Other than the obvious 'T', what does the Tesla logo represent? I've heard it resembles a particular part of the engine?"
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Another added: "I was trying to look this up yesterday but I never thought to ask here. I could not find much.”
Meanwhile, someone else responded: “The most plausible theory that I read was that it's part of a cross section of an induction motor.”
Musk himself has confirmed that as well as looking sleek, the pointed and curved T symbolises the cross-section of an electric motor.
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In 2017, someone tweeted him directly, asking: “@elonmusk Could you shed some light on what the Tesla logo represents please? So many theories out there, but no-one knows!"
He explained: “Similar to SpaceX, the T is like a cross section of an electric motor, just as the X is like a rocket trajectory.”
Pleased by the explanation, one user quipped: “Good question - I have always wondered @elonmusk, this should be on Tesla's website so that everyone knows - apt and thoughtful.”
Meanwhile, others preferred their own ideas, including that the logo simply represents a cat’s nose.
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Another praised Musk for the fact that there can be many interpretations of the simple but effective logo.
Impressed, they wrote: "It's fascinating to me how many plausible answers there are here. Whether it looks like a piece from an induction motor, or a power line, or a battery in an electrical schematic, or evokes the Model T, or is like Serbian axes, or even bears resemblance to Mr Tesla's face, it's clear that the logo is a great piece of design - regardless of whether it was intentional or not."
Musk is certainly dedicated to his company, as he recently said he will be ‘spending 24/7 at work and sleeping in conference/server/factory rooms’ amid rumours of a falling out with US president Donald Trump.
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The Tesla founder was previously dubbed ‘first buddy’ after heading up the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), making brutal job cuts to reduce government spending. Musk faced widespread criticism, with some even choosing to boycott Tesla, with Trump sticking by him throughout it all. But recently, there are rumours their relationship has fractured.
Though Musk slammed reports that Trump had told cabinet members he’d be stepping down from his government role within the ‘coming weeks’ as fake news, he’s since hinted he’s stepping back from politics.