Australia Post customers shocked after learning about the iconic logo’s hidden meaning: ‘This is something they should teach us in primary school’
- A researcher has revealed the history of the Aus Post logo
- Julian O’Shea explained the design of the logo on TikTok
- The logo was partially created to resemble the postal horn
Aussies have been left shocked after learning about the history behind the Australia Post logo, which takes influence from a mail horn used more than 200 years ago.
Melbourne engineer and researcher Julian O’Shea revealed the inspiration behind the postal service’s logo in a video posted to his popular TikTok account.
Mr O’Shea has dedicated his social media channels to educating people on the history behind designs, buildings and cities.
He explained that the Australia Post logo was created to resemble the post horn that was used by guards of mail coaches throughout Europe in the 18th and 19th centuries.
Engineer and researcher Julian O’Shea (pictured) explained the design choice for the Australia Post logo in a TikTok video that has gone viral
‘Ever wondered what’s going on with the Australia Post logo?’ Mr O’Shea says in his video as he stands in front of a post box.
‘Now clearly the P is trying to represent P for post, but what is this thing all about?’ he continues, pointing at the white half-circle design on the right of the logo.
‘This shape is based on the postal horn and this was an actual instrument that would be blown to let people know that the mailman was here to come down and bring down your packages.’
He revealed that the same design has been used for mail service logos in several different countries including Argentina, Germany and Iceland.
‘So you might think letters and mail are out of date, but the logos they use are even more so,’ the online educator added.
The original Australia Post logo was designed in 1975 by Pieter Huveneers, a renowned graphic designer from the Netherlands.
Mr Huveneers created a number of designs and posters throughout his career for businesses, corporations, government services and charities in the Netherlands, the UK and Australia.
After moving to Australia, he created more than 70 designs Down Under including logos for Telecom Australia, Westpac, ACI, Colonial Mutual Life, Myer, TAA and Tooth and Co.
The right side of the logo resembles a post horn. Post horns were used in the 18th and 19th centuries to let people know that the mailman was about to deliver mail and packages
The original Australia Post logo was designed in 1975 by Pieter Huveneers, a renowned graphic designer from the Netherlands (stock image)
TikTok users who watched Mr O’Shea’s video expressed their surprise upon learning about the inspiration behind the postal design.
‘Ok this is something they should teach us in Primary school,’ wrote one viewer.
Another said: ‘I’ve always thought it was a P inside an O that was just kinda stylised.’
‘I always assumed it was a keyhole,’ added a third.
‘I’ve learnt something today cheers,’ said another.