Jump to content

Mozilla (mascot): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
add citations, remove redlink, add Obama "Hope" poster
Dwtitus (talk | contribs)
m Added link to original Netscape mascot artist.
Line 2: Line 2:
'''Mozilla''' was the [[mascot]] of the now disbanded [[Netscape Communications Corporation]].
'''Mozilla''' was the [[mascot]] of the now disbanded [[Netscape Communications Corporation]].


Mozilla takes the form of a green and purple [[cartoon]] [[lizard]]. Programmer [[Jamie Zawinski]] came up with the name during a meeting while working at the company. Mozilla was designed by Dave Titus in 1994.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://portfolio.davetitus.com/dave_titus_mozilla.html | title = Portfolio of freelance illustrator and animator, Dave W. Titus | accessdate=2010-10-29}}</ref>
Mozilla takes the form of a green and purple [[cartoon]] [[lizard]]. Programmer [[Jamie Zawinski]] came up with the name during a meeting while working at the company. Mozilla was designed by Dave Titus in 1994.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://portfolio.davetitus.com/dave_titus_mozilla.html | title = Portfolio of freelance illustrator and animator, [http://www.davetitus.com Dave W. Titus] | accessdate=2010-10-29}}</ref>


The name "Mozilla" was already in use at Netscape as the [[codename]] for [[Netscape Navigator]] 1.0. The term came from a combination of "Mosaic killer" (as Netscape wanted to displace [[Mosaic (web browser)|NCSA Mosaic]] as the world's number one [[web browser]]) and [[Godzilla]].{{Fact|date=September 2008}} Initially, the mascot took various forms, including that of a helmeted [[astronaut]] or 'spaceman', but the eventual choice of a Godzilla-like lizard was no doubt thought to go well with the Godzilla-like name.
The name "Mozilla" was already in use at Netscape as the [[codename]] for [[Netscape Navigator]] 1.0. The term came from a combination of "Mosaic killer" (as Netscape wanted to displace [[Mosaic (web browser)|NCSA Mosaic]] as the world's number one [[web browser]]) and [[Godzilla]].{{Fact|date=September 2008}} Initially, the mascot took various forms, including that of a helmeted [[astronaut]] or 'spaceman', but the eventual choice of a Godzilla-like lizard was no doubt thought to go well with the Godzilla-like name.

Revision as of 18:31, 18 November 2010

Mozilla was the mascot of the now disbanded Netscape Communications Corporation.

Mozilla takes the form of a green and purple cartoon lizard. Programmer Jamie Zawinski came up with the name during a meeting while working at the company. Mozilla was designed by Dave Titus in 1994.[1]

The name "Mozilla" was already in use at Netscape as the codename for Netscape Navigator 1.0. The term came from a combination of "Mosaic killer" (as Netscape wanted to displace NCSA Mosaic as the world's number one web browser) and Godzilla.[citation needed] Initially, the mascot took various forms, including that of a helmeted astronaut or 'spaceman', but the eventual choice of a Godzilla-like lizard was no doubt thought to go well with the Godzilla-like name.

Mozilla featured prominently on Netscape's web site in the company's early years. However, the need to project a more 'professional' image (especially towards corporate clients) led to his being removed. Mozilla continued to be used inside Netscape, though, often featuring on T-shirts given to staff or on artwork adorning the walls of the Netscape campus in Mountain View.

File:Netscape 1.1 for Mac Install window.png
Early version of the Mozilla mascot on the install window of Netscape Navigator 1.1 for Macintosh

The name "Mozilla" later became more prominent when it was used for the open source browser of the same name. With the launch of the mozilla.org web site in 1998, the mascot was redesigned as a larger, fiercer red Tyrannosaurus rex. The new design was by Shepard Fairey of "Obey Giant" and Barack Obama "Hope" poster fame.[2]

When Netscape acquired the website directory NewHoo in 1998, they rebranded it the Open Directory Project with the nickname "dmoz" (Directory of Mozilla) due to its similarity to the Mozilla project. An image of Mozilla was placed on every page of the site, which remains the case today, despite Netscape's disbanding after its acquisition by AOL.

References

  1. ^ "Portfolio of freelance illustrator and animator, [http://www.davetitus.com Dave W. Titus]". Retrieved 2010-10-29. {{cite web}}: External link in |title= (help)
  2. ^ "Shepard Fairey: From Mozilla to Obama". Retrieved 2010-10-29.

See also