The Internet Explorer (IE) is a web browser from the stable of Microsoft that was created in 1995. It was meant for the Windows operating system and became an independent program later. As one of the earliest web browsers, Internet Explorer played a crucial role in shaping the internet landscape. However, in 2022, Microsoft decided to stop supporting the browser. The logo of the Internet Explorer has undergone several changes since its inception. This article delves into the history and evolution of the Internet Explorer logo and highlights key design changes that have taken place over the years.
The Genesis of the Internet Explorer Logo (1995)
The journey of the Internet Explorer logo began with the release of Internet Explorer 1.0, on August 16, 1995. The initial logo featured a globe representing Earth alongside the text “Microsoft Internet Explorer.” The colour palette for the earth was grey and calm blue-white, while for the text, it was dark blue with green accents.
The word “Microsoft” in a smaller size was placed on the top right corner of the globe. The word “Internet Explorer” in a title case appeared to grow bigger as it extended to the right. This design was heavily influenced by Microsoft’s branding at the time, which emphasised its connection to the Windows operating system.
(1995 – 1996)
Shortly after, Internet Explorer 2.0 was launched in November 1995. This version included a two-level nameplate and the Microsoft emblem enclosed in a circle and placed on the right. The two-level nameplate with a thin line in between had “Microsoft” rendered in an elegant font above and “Internet Explorer” in a bold sans-serif typeface below. The Microsoft emblem, comprising the four-coloured flag, was enclosed in a circle and placed on the top right corner of the logo.
(1996 – 2001)
The release of Internet Explorer 3.0 on August 13, 1996, marked an important milestone as it introduced the now-iconic lowercase “e” emblem in blue on the right. This blue “e” was accompanied by a diagonal orbiting ring to symbolise connectivity and the internet itself. The nameplate on the left was retained from the previous iteration with the letters made bigger and bolder. This design was important as it established a recognisable brand image that would endure for years.
(1996 – 2006)
The logo underwent slight modifications in 1996 with the release of IE 4.0. The colour of the letter “e” with the orbiting ring became lighter blue, and its contour was refined to enhance visibility and aesthetics. This iteration strengthened the logo’s status as a standalone symbol of Microsoft’s web browser.
(2001 – 2006)
In 2001, Internet Explorer 5.0 introduced a three-dimensional effect to the logo by adding shadows to create depth. This version featured a vibrant gradient blue colour for the “e” emblem to make it more visually appealing and friendly to users.
(2003) (Unused)
The logo remained largely unchanged with Internet Explorer 6.0. The emphasis remained on clarity and recognition, which was tried by adding shadows to create volume. The emblem looked three-dimensional and glossy and acquired a purple and greenish tint as well.
(2005) (Unused)
A significant redesign occurred in 2005 with the introduction of a glossy three-dimensional logo. This version saw a glossy purple “e” in lowercase with the orbiting ring appearing to be closed. The glossy “e” also had light blue gradients and retained the shade of the previous logo
(2006 – 2010)
This logo version saw a darker outline for the “e” emblem and the colour of the orbiting ring and its shadow changed to yellow. This gave the logo a more dynamic look compared to its predecessors.
(2010 – 2022)
This logo variant introduced lighter colours for both the “e” and its orbiting ring. Besides, the typeface of “e” was also made fresher and crisper. This iteration aimed to modernise the logo while retaining its core identity.
(2011 – 2022)
Internet Explorer 9.0 was released in March 2011, which saw another change in the logo. The logo was simplified into a flat light blue icon, which was similar to the earlier designs but featured cleaner lines and contours.
The Elements of the Internet Explorer Logo
Font
The Internet Explorer logo had the full text in its early variants. The text used a bold font in lowercase. However, the text disappeared with the logo design in 1997, when only the letter “e” in lowercase remained.
Colour
The colour palette of the Internet Explorer logo constituted blue and its various shades. These include azure, cornflower blue, celestial, and sapphire. In fact, the colours green and black were also used in the beginning, and white has adorned the background.
The History of Internet Explorer
Internet Explorer (IE) is a web browser developed by Microsoft and released on August 16, 1995, as part of the Plus! add-on package for Windows 95. The development of IE began in the summer of 1994, and the project was led by Thomas Reardon. He based the browser on technology licensed from Spyglass, Inc., which had its roots in the earlier Mosaic browser created by the National Centre for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA).
The initial version, Internet Explorer 1.0, was relatively basic, but it had set the stage for future developments. By November 1995, Microsoft released Internet Explorer 2.0, which introduced support for secure sockets layer (SSL) encryption and cookies. The subsequent version, Internet Explorer 3.0, launched in August 1996, included features like Java applets and cascading style sheets (CSS). These enhanced web pages design and functionality to a great extent.
The late 1990s marked a significant period known as the Browser Wars, where Internet Explorer emerged as a dominant force against competitors like Netscape Navigator. By bundling IE with Windows operating systems, Microsoft rapidly increased its market share. In fact, it reached approximately 90% by 2003-2004.
This dominance led to antitrust scrutiny. So, in 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Microsoft for violating antitrust laws. It accused Microsoft of leveraging its Windows monopoly to stifle competition in the browser market. Although the courts found Microsoft guilty of violating the Sherman Antitrust Act, they did not impose a breakup order.
Despite its early success, Internet Explorer began to lose ground in the mid-2000s with the rise of competitors such as Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. Firefox introduced features that appealed to users, such as tabbed browsing and enhanced security measures. By 2010, IE’s market share had dropped to around 50%. Microsoft attempted to revitalise IE with new versions, but these efforts were overshadowed by the rapid advancements made by its competitors.
In 2015, Microsoft launched Windows 10, which featured Microsoft Edge as its default browser. This signalled a shift away from Internet Explorer. Further, the official support for Internet Explorer ended on June 15, 2022, thereby marking a definitive close to its era.
Internet Explorer played a crucial role in shaping the web browsing landscape during its peak years. It introduced many features that became standard across browsers today and facilitated widespread internet access among users worldwide. Although it has been retired, its legacy continues through Microsoft Edge and the ongoing evolution of web technologies.
Interesting Facts About Internet Explorer
- Internet Explorer (IE) was launched on August 16, 1995, as part of the Plus! add-on package for Windows 95.
- Internet Explorer became the most popular web browser by overtaking Netscape Navigator in 1999. Its market share reached a whopping 95% by 2003.
- The Internet Explorer project began under the leadership of the computer engineer, Thomas Reardon.
- The Internet Explorer project comprised only 5 individuals initially. However, the team strength grew to 100 within a year.
- The Internet Explorer project was called by the code name “O’Hare,” which happened to be the largest airport in Chicago.
- Microsoft invested heavily in Internet Explorer during its prime. It spent over $100 million per year in the late 1990s, with more than 1,000 employees involved in its development by 1999.
- The aim of Internet Explorer was to replicate Netscape Navigator, the most popular of the time, and then surpass it.
- The browser was at the centre of a major antitrust lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice in 1998. The lawsuit accused Microsoft of stifling competition by bundling IE with Windows. This legal battle highlighted the browser’s role in Microsoft’s overall strategy to dominate the software market.
- Over its lifetime, Internet Explorer went through 11 major versions. The updates saw the introduction of features like tabbed browsing, enhanced security options, and support for modern web standards such as HTML5.
- Although officially retired on June 15, 2022, Internet Explorer remains available in a limited capacity through Microsoft Edge’s IE mode. It allows users to access legacy applications and websites that require older web technologies.
- Besides Windows, Internet Explorer was also available on other platforms, including Mac OS and UNIX systems.
- Internet Explorer had versions for gaming consoles like the Xbox 360, which showcased its versatility during its operational years.
- Internet Explorer faced significant criticism for security vulnerabilities. Many users reported issues related to malware and phishing attacks due to its ActiveX technology and other features that were susceptible to exploitation.
- By 2023, Internet Explorer had fallen to a mere 0.45% market share. This made IE the least used desktop browser as users migrated to more modern alternatives like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge.
- Internet Explorer was discontinued in 2022 with the company stopped giving developer support.
Finally
The Internet Explorer logo and its various versions reflect changes in design trends and shifts in technology and user expectations over nearly two decades. From its initial representation of Earth to a sleek, modern icon symbolising connectivity, each iteration has contributed to IE’s identity as one of the most recognised web browsers in history.