Esso and Exxon

Standard Oil of New Jersey formed in 1911 upon the breakup of Standard Oil. Although Socony (Standard Oil of New York) owned the rights to marketing in the New England States, the company allowed Standard Oil of New Jersey to market its products there under the name Esso (which stands for the S and O of Standard Oil).

The original Esso logo consisted of a white oval disc with a blue outline and the name Esso in red lettering. Supplement blue writing lined the top and bottom edge of the oval, as seen below.

In 1933, the signs appear to have lost the additional blue writing. The logo below was used until 1965.

In 1960s, the blue border on the Esso sign appears more pronounced.

In 1974, Standard Oil of New Jersey was renamed the Exxon Corporation and adopted the Exxon trademark on its stations throughout the country.

In 1999, Exxon and Mobil merged to form the largest company on the planet, the Exxon Mobil Corporation.