Kool Cigarettes Logo PNG
The Kool Cigarettes logo conveys the freshness associated with menthol cigarettes, which have found their place in American culture. The visual image’s simplicity and expressiveness emphasize the brand’s unique character, which is associated with bright taste and sophisticated choices.
Kool began in 1931, when Brown & Williamson introduced a 70 mm unfiltered menthol cigarette named Penguin. In 1933, the product became Kool, while the penguin stayed on the pack. Early slogans linked menthol with throat comfort and promoted the cigarette as a pause between regular brands.
In 1934, the Ted Bates agency developed the penguin into an animated mascot. He was named Willie in 1947 and later appeared with Millie in newspaper inserts, baseball programs, and a six-issue comic series licensed by Standard Comics. During the early 1950s, retailers used “Come in… it’s Kool inside” stickers to indicate air-conditioned stores.
The market changed when R.J. Reynolds launched filtered Salem in 1956, and Lorillard introduced Newport in 1957. Brown & Williamson answered with filtered Kool in king size, restored an unfiltered king-size version in 1962, and added a 100 mm format in 1967. Willie disappeared from advertising in the early 1960s, replaced by winter scenes and waterside imagery. Kool Milds arrived in 1972, Kool Super Lights in 1977, and Kool Ultra in 1981.
Kool later sponsored jazz festivals and created the KOOL Achiever Awards for African American community leaders. The Kool Mixx campaign adopted hip-hop imagery around the turn of the 2000s. R.J. Reynolds acquired Brown & Williamson in 2004. In 2015, Kool passed to ITG Brands after the Reynolds American and Lorillard merger, while British American Tobacco continued production outside the United States.
Meaning and History
What is Kool Cigarettes?
It is a brand that specializes in producing menthol-flavored cigarettes. The distinctive feature of these products is their refreshing taste, which has made them popular among connoisseurs of menthol cigarettes. The assortment includes various options with different degrees of saturation and strength, so everyone can find the right option. Packaging in characteristic green tones has long been familiar to many product fans.
1933 – 1960
The KOOL cigarette logo before the 1960s was unconventional for its time. It had a simple rectangular shape, outlined by a double border: first a dark blue line, then a white one. Inside, there was a solid green background without gradients or transitions. Against this background, the brand name “KOOL” appeared in white, written in a simple, strict typeface slightly stretched horizontally.
The most distinctive feature of the design was the two “O” letters. They overlapped and intertwined, forming something similar to two interlocking rings. This unique detail added a sense of dynamism to the otherwise formal and structured logo.
KOOL was one of the first brands to introduce menthol cigarettes in America. This is why green was chosen as the primary color, symbolizing freshness, menthol, and coolness. The blue accentuated the product’s premium status, as cigarettes were already being seen as a stylish item during that era. KOOL’s minimalist packaging and the distinctive overlapping “O” letters helped the brand stand out among competitors.
1960 – 1997
The updated KOOL cigarette logo features a deeper, darker green background compared to the previous version. The rectangular shape remained framed by a double border: first white, then gold. Gold replaced the previous blue, adding a sense of prestige and sophistication absent in earlier designs.
The brand name remained white, written in a strict, clean typeface without embellishments. However, the letters became slightly wider and more stable in appearance. The “O” letters remained intertwined, creating the signature double-ring symbol that had become a recognizable brand element.
1997 – today
The latest logo design moved away from rigid straight lines and framed borders. The new style resembles a neon sign. The dark green background now features a smooth gradient that transitions from a deep, rich shade at the bottom to a lighter green at the top.
The brand name is set in a bold serif typeface, giving it a classic, solid appearance. The letters are white, surrounded by a bright green neon glow. This effect creates a sense of illumination and visual depth, making the letters appear raised from the background.
The two “O” letters remain connected, partially overlapping. The glowing effect further enhances their intersection.
The company has continuously updated its packaging while maintaining its signature green color as a symbol of menthol freshness. The neon-style logo reflects modern design trends, emphasizing the brand’s focus on style and urban aesthetics.
