It was in 1935 that Allen Lane, Managing Director of Bodley Head Publishers, stood on a platform at Exeter railway station in the UK looking for something good to read on his journey back to London. His choice was limited to popular magazines and poor-quality paperbacks - the same choice faced everyday by the vast majority of readers who couldn't afford hardbacks. Lane's disappointment and subsequent anger at the range of books generally available led him to found a company - and change the world.

He wanted a 'dignified but flippant' symbol for his new business. His secretary suggested a Penguin and another employee was sent to London Zoo to make some sketches. Seventy five years later Penguin is still one of the most recongnizable brands in the world. The quality paperback had arrived and in addition to the logo the cover art work went on to become a design classic