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The History of the VAC Logos (30 June 2008)

Over the years, there have been two basic VAC logos in use, with two slight variations of the original.

The basic shape was conceived in the summer of 1990 over a lunch with the lovely and brilliant Susan Simko at a Chinese restaurant in Durham, North Carolina, where it was hand drawn on a paper napkin by VAC founder Kevin Hayes. The sketch was converted into the well known shape seen above by a graphic artist in Raleigh, North Carolina (forgive me, Mike; I can not recall your last name at the moment). By the way, Susan is probably the most wonderful and interesting person you could ever want to know, and she was a great source of encouragement and inspiration in those early days.

The intent of the logo was to evoke something of the feel of the 1930's, a time when vacuum tubes held sway and developments and innovations were coming fast and furious. Nothing less would do for a dynamic company that would design and manufacture the finest audio amplifiers known, with an appropriate tip of the hat to the engineering giants who had gone before, on whose shoulders we would in essence be standing.

Ultimately, there were two variations of the original logo. The very first, seen above from a DCC LP jacket, differs slightly from the one shown earlier in that the leading stroke of the 'V' was angled a bit more to the left (i.e., the 'V' was wider) and the 'C' was a bit less round, also having a bit more of a calligraphic feel at the top and bottom inflection points.

The current VAC logo was designed by Bolt & Associates of Charlotte, North Carolina in 1997 as part of the critically acclaimed, award winning VAC Visionary project. The VAC Visionary System was to consist of a series of identically styled vacuum tube audio components that could be used free standing or as an integrated system that would stack and dock together. It was suggested that such a concept would appeal most to the luxury market, and that the existing logo was more appropriate for technical enthusiasts. Thus, the new logo was adopted. Incidentally, the Visionary project was the only time that VAC has used an out of house resource for industrial design. Ironically, that is a large factor in why that project was canceled after the pilot production run; the mechanical design was fundamentally not amenable to manufacture. However, the logo has endured.

If I may, a brief personal note of philosophies and advice emphasized during the 18 years of VAC's existence. Audio, careers, music, and business are important and have their places, but never love things more than you love people. Don't place yourself or your own interests ahead of your loved ones. Don't live your life 'on hold' simply because you can not see the future. Do your best to treat people the way you would like to be treated. If you have faith, live it out sincerely. Exercise patience and consideration even in the face of agitation. Take time away from the noise and jumble of life to be still and think. Don't assume the world will wait for you while you think things over.

Kevin Hayes / VAC

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