When you think of trademarks today, your mind might jump to Apple’s bitten apple, Nike’s swoosh, or Coca-Cola’s flowing script. But have you ever wondered what the very first registered U.S. trademark was?
Let’s take a trip back to 1870.
Trademark No. 1: Averill Ready-Mix Paint 🎨
According to the USPTO, the honor of the very first registered trademark goes to the Averill Ready-Mix Paint logo.
- Filed: August 29, 1870
- Issued: October 23, 1870
- Owner: D.R. Averill of New York City
At the time, this was groundbreaking. D.R. Averill had created and patented the first ready-mix paint for home use in 1867. Before that, homeowners had to painstakingly buy separate ingredients – pigments, oils, and binders – and mix them together by hand. It was messy, time-consuming, and inconsistent.
Averill’s invention made it possible to simply open a can and paint. This innovation was such a leap forward in home improvement that Averill wasted no time in securing brand protection through the trademark system.
Interestingly, his application wasn’t even the first filed that year—it was the 15th trademark application submitted in 1870—but it ended up being Trademark Registration No. 1 in U.S. history.
Why It Matters
The Averill Ready-Mix Paint trademark marked the beginning of a formal system that protects brands, products, and consumers alike. From that first logo to millions of trademarks today, the principle remains the same: a trademark tells customers where a product comes from and assures them of its quality.
It’s a legacy that stretches from a 19th-century can of paint to the logos we see on our phones, shoes, and favorite snacks today.
Fun Fact Friday Takeaway
The very first U.S. trademark wasn’t for food, clothing, or even machinery—it was for paint. Thanks to Averill, homeowners could beautify their homes with ease, and the world of American trademark registration was officially opened.
Timeline: “From Paint Cans to Global Brands”
1870 – Trademark No. 1
The first U.S. registered trademark was issued on October 23, 1870, to D.R. Averill for his ready-to-use house paint.
- 🖌️ Averill Ready-Mix Paint
1900s – Rise of Iconic Marks
Early industrial and consumer brands grew as U.S. commerce expanded.
- 🥤 Coca-Cola (script logo registered in 1893)
- 🛠️ Ford (blue oval in use by 1912)
Mid-1900s – Global Recognition
Trademarks grew into cultural symbols recognized worldwide.
- 👟 Nike Swoosh (1971)
- 🍔 McDonald’s Golden Arches (1961)
- 📺 NBC Peacock (1956)
2000s – The Digital Era
Tech giants turned trademarks into household icons.
- 🍏 Apple Logo
- 📦 Amazon Smile Arrow
- 📱 Google Logo
Today – Millions of Marks
Today, trademarks protect everything from sounds to colors to hashtags.
- ✨ Over 2.5 million active U.S. trademarks
This post is for informational purposes only and does not provide legal advice. You should contact an attorney for advice concerning any particular issue or problem. Nothing herein creates an attorney-client relationship between TM Law & Associates and the reader.
