The Apple logo is instantly recognizable worldwide, but some fans believe there's a deeper meaning behind its design
Apple fans are buzzing over a supposed 'hidden meaning' behind the company's famous logo, and once you hear it, it's hard to ignore.
When it comes to brand recognition, Apple has nailed it. The simple, sleek design of the bitten apple is so iconic that even an actual piece of fruit with a missing chunk can instantly make you think of iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks.
Regardless of what language you speak or where you’re from, chances are you know the Apple logo. But is it really just an apple, or is there something more behind the design?
The iconic Apple logo features on most of the company's devices Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Many logos have subtle meanings built into them, and a recent TikTok post by @therealoshow highlighted an interesting theory about Apple’s logo.
In his video, he focuses on the missing piece of the apple - suggesting that the ‘bite’ taken out of it might be more than just a visual choice.
In tech terms, the word ‘bite’ sounds an awful lot like ‘byte’ as in a unit of data storage. Could it be a clever nod to Apple’s technological roots?
The idea quickly gained traction, with many people on Twitter sharing their excitement over the theory.
"Did you know that bitten Apple logo was indeed a smart punning on words 'bite' and 'byte' (to lend a geeky flavor to the fruit) ?," one Twitter user posted.
Another user was fascinated by the connection, responding: "Interesting! That's some good tech info. Thanks bro."
@therealoshow Logos with Secret Meanings You Won't Unsee
♬ original sound - The Real Oshow
It certainly sounds like a great explanation, but there’s just one problem - it's not actually true.
Rob Janoff, the designer behind the original Apple logo, has addressed this theory directly, and according to him, the bite/byte idea isn’t what inspired the design at all.
In an interview with Creative Bits, Janoff was asked if the Apple logo was a play on the word ‘byte’ or if it had any ties to the biblical story of Eve and the forbidden fruit.
There was also speculation that the apple was a reference to Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity, inspired by an apple falling from a tree.
All of these theories sound great, but Janoff didn’t hesitate to shut them down.
Rob Janoff has denied claims about the logo Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images
He explained: "They are really interesting, but I'm afraid it didn't have a thing to do with it. From a designer's point of view and you probably experienced this, one of the big phenomena is having the experience of designing a logo for whatever reasons you design it, and years later you find out supposedly why you did certain things. And, they are all BS."
"It's a wonderful urban legend. Somebody starts it and then people go "oh yeah, that must be it"."
So, while the idea that Apple’s logo references a ‘byte’ is an appealing one, the truth is much simpler - it’s just an apple. But considering Apple’s massive influence in tech, you can see why so many people are eager to believe otherwise.
