The history of the label Part 1

What’s written inside

The history of the label is (at least in part) French – cocorico! In fact, the term étiquette originates from the Old French estiquette, which in turn comes from estequier/estequer and means to attach or suspend. You’re probably also familiar with the term étiquette. It, too, comes from the French language and was, at the French court, a sort of cheat sheet with rules of behavior.

However, the foundation stone for the label as we know it today was laid by the Egyptians and Sumerians (3200 – 3100 BC). They used what they called rolled seals: cylindrical seals on whose mantle surfaces were engraved characters or designs. If the seal was rolled over clay, for example, the engraving became visible. Rolled seals were mainly used to immortalize and transmit the names of high officials or kings.

The Romans took a step closer to today’s label by replacing the scroll seal with pendants, which were attached to amphorae and other containers. In this way, anyone could see at a glance whether the container held wine, medicine or some other liquid. As you can see, the precursors of today’s labels have always been concerned with marking things and communicating information. In Part 2, you’ll discover how the label has become an indispensable advertising tool for products over time.