Though John Deere fashioned his first polished-steel plow in Grand Detour, Illinois in 1837, the evolution of his company took years and remained a small operation for quite some time. By the time he had employed 16 people, the operation was still without a name and a logo. However, in 1868, more than 31 years after John Deere’s operation started as a partnership or single proprietorship, it was incorporated under the name Deere & Company.
John Deere Logos Throughout the Years
The company existed for several years and after a brief spell of success – and then failure – the operations began to solidify and consolidate in Illinois. In 1876, after some deliberation, John Deere registered a logo: The “leaping deer” trademark.