Mozilla Thunderbird Logo PNG
The Mozilla Thunderbird logo reflects the evolution of the email client, which was considered outdated for a long time. The new symbol shows that the brand is ready for changes to give worthy competition to Gmail and other mail exchange services. It has the same dynamism as the Mozilla Firefox emblem, which is closely related.
Mozilla Thunderbird: Brand overview
| Founded: | July 28, 2003 |
| Founder: | Mozilla Foundation |
| Website: | thunderbird.net |
The initial version of Mozilla Thunderbird was created in 2003 based on the Firefox web browser. But then, this project was called Minotaur and was considered hopeless. It got a chance for a second life a year later when the browser became popular. Internet users needed a mail client, and the developers revived Minotaur under a new name – Thunderbird. The team released software with many tools and open-source code so anyone interested could improve it.
Meaning and History
The name Mozilla Thunderbird originates from the legends of Native Americans who once inhabited the territories of British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. The locals believed in the existence of a winged creature capable of throwing lightning from its eyes and causing thunder with the flaps of its wings. This spirit was incredibly powerful, and its depiction was found on the coats of arms of the most influential chiefs.
The developers chose the name Thunderbird for the mail client because it is a symbol of strength, protection, and power. The Native Americans placed it at the top of totem poles to express gratitude for assistance during droughts. The creators of the email-sending application used the image of this mythical bird as the central element of the logo. The legends show that the thunder-holding spirit resembled a giant eagle with horns. Contemporary artists slightly altered their appearance, drawing two protruding feathers instead of horns. Overall, the emblem is adapted to Mozilla’s corporate style.
What is Mozilla Thunderbird?
Mozilla Thunderbird is a program designed to manage emails. It also has a built-in chat for instant messaging, a news feed, and other add-ons. The email client was developed in 2003 by the Mozilla Foundation and has been under the control of MZLA Technologies Corporation since 2020. It has versions for various operating systems, including Linux, FreeBSD, macOS, and Windows.
2003 – 2004
Contrary to expectations, the original Thunderbird logo does not feature this creature but another fictional character – the Phoenix. The reason is that Mozilla Firefox was previously called Phoenix and used an emblem with a red bird. The creators of the email client simply copied the existing image and recolored it in a bright blue color. In this way, they demonstrated the connection of the new project with the web browser.
The bird looks like a swan sitting on the ground; its wings spread out to the sides. Flames embrace its chest, and the feathers resemble tongues of fire streaming upward. The head with a large purple beak is turned to the left side, and the neck is elegantly curved.
2004 – 2011
When it became clear that the popularity of Firefox was increasing, the developers decided to resume the development of the email client. The project received an emblem with the image of a blue bird sitting on a beige envelope, gently embracing it with its wings. Now the feathers no longer associate with fire but look like shiny scales. The lower ends of the wings are a bit frayed. There is a crest with three notches on the head. In general, Thunderbird looks friendly because the artists made the gaze expressive and created the illusion of a smile using visual transitions.
The small gray word “mozilla” is written in the brand’s proprietary font used then. The second part of the name is on the next line and is colored blue. It is made in the same typeface, similar to ITC Officina Sans Std Bold. The curved and trimmed ends of the letters create a sense of dynamics. Jon Hicks designed the logo.
2011 – 2018
The envelope was repainted white and given a silver edge. The rows of feathers on the bird’s wings are neatly arranged. There is more gradient because the transitions between shades are not sharp but smooth. This adds volume and realism to the image. Additional notches have appeared on the crest. The inscription has been shortened to the word “Thunderbird,” which has now turned gray.
2018 – 2023
The emblem has lost its detail, so it looks smooth, soft, and friendly. But the sharp corners, which represent feathers and maintain visual dynamics, have been preserved. The envelope no longer has a gradient: it is completely white and outlined around the edge with monotone gray lines. The bird’s blue palette has acquired bright and saturated shades. The inscription is repainted in graphite color and set in even letters with barely noticeable cuts at the ends.
2023 – today
In 2022, Mozilla announced the relaunch of its mail client under a revamped brand. A year later, manager Ryan Sipes introduced a modernized Thunderbird logo, which marked the project’s revival. It’s still the same blue bird on the same envelope, but now they look completely different. The envelope is a speech bubble, symbolizing communication between users. The bird no longer has lush wings – it looks like one large wing itself, as it mimics the Firefox emblem design. Sharp lines form a predatory profile, while white oval eyes give it a “villainous” look. The logo was designed by designer Jon Hicks and presented on May 24, 2023.
Fonts and Colors
In the early versions of the emblem, a font similar to ITC Officina Sans Std Bold was used. Then the developers simplified the shape of the letters, bringing them closer to the Dylan Condensed Normal typeface from Wiescher-Design, but cutting off the upper ends of “h,” “d,” and “b.” After the 2023 update, the logo no longer has any inscriptions. Now it only shows the bird embracing the envelope. The predominant palette is white, purple, and blue with a gradient.
