According to C.E. Woolman, Delta’s principal founder and first CEO, it was his longtime assistant Catherine FitzGerald (picture), who coined the name “Delta” in 1928.
As Woolman recalled, “When we got into the passenger business and decided to change the company name, we looked for a short name, preferably with five letters. It was Miss FitzGerald who said, ‘Delta.’” The new name fit the crop-dusting company, formerly known as Huff Daland Dusters. It was based in Monroe, Louisiana, and operated throughout in the Mississippi Delta region.
The new name influenced the shape of Delta's first passenger service logo—a triangle—representing the “D” of the Greek alphabet, which is “Delta.” At center is a winged Mercury, the Roman god of travel and commerce.
Like to see more Delta logos? Check out our logo timeline.
Marie Force
Archives Manager
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