Johnson + Johnson medical tape

I rediscovered an old roll of Johnson & Johnson medical tape tonight under the sink.  I kind of remember thinking it looked cool previously, but tonight I decided to blog about it.  

I did some homework and learned that they haven't changed their logo, pretty much ever.  I was surprised the logo's font hadn't been updated, but I was pleased.  I know this company prides itself on heritage, and time & success have shown what this recognizable, personal touch - as well as consistent top quality - has done for the public's view of the brand.  

As it turns out, the logo is not a font, but was based on the handwriting(same link as "pretty much ever") of James Wood Johnson, co-founder of the brand (founded with his brother, Edward Mead Johnson in 1886).  His handwriting was a little messy, but personalities like the ampersand connected to the second J are taken into great consideration.  

Johnson & Johnson's blog, Kilmer House, has tons of history.

 

The tape canister couldn't be more simple.  It uses red, white & blue, and includes the universal medicine symbol - a red cross.  I like how "Adhesive Tape" is in blue on the sides, and white-on-blue on the top.  Great uniformity.  Also, the bold, all-caps lettering is not only clear (to the shopper's eye from the shelf) but a good, simple contrast to the cursive "Johnson & Johnson" logo. Both pieces of the product are identical on either side of the piece - so no instructions or anything on the other side.

The female half has one end of the metal rolled out, and one rolled inward.  The inward-rolled end serves as a blocker for the spindle.. So the only way to put the spindle away is when the tube's logo is upright.

The logo as it appears on their website now:

9.9.99 video music awards

I remember, 9 years ago this September, watching the annual MTV Video Music Awards.  I was 12, and kind of not allowed to watch MTV.  I remember being struck by the 9|9|99 logo, finding it impressively cool.  I actually remember thinking about how chic the logo was; little did I know I'd go on to pursue graphic design.

I've looked really hard, and haven't found the logo anywhere online.  It's in the background of some pictures (people who don't remember the logo, may remember Lil' Kim's breast, which Diana Ross jiggled on stage). You can kind of see the original logo in the "Lil' Kim's breast," link, behind Lil' Kim on the red carpet.

Aaaannyyway.. After much searching with almost no luck, I've recreated the logo here.  I used Helvetica Neue UltraLight for the numbers and Helvetica Neue Bold for the VMA wording.  I think the bold wording actually filled the 9s a little more on MTV, but I'm over it.