Dodge Brothers and the Star of David

[EveryMilesAMemory]

We were at the Gold King Mine & Ghost Town just above Jerome Arizona today and found these Emblems on a few old Dodge trucks. I had never seen them before and when I asked the owner about them, he said that the Dodge Brothers were Jewish and used the Satr of David as their logo.

Once Chrslyer bought their company, it dropped the 'Brothers' logo and the 'Star of David' only keeping the Dodge Logo. I guess you learn something new every day!

Both images taken with a 30D and a Sigma 24-70 f/2.8

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q190/Bonishphoto/IMG_3445.jpg

http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q190/Bonishphoto/IMG_3449.jpg

[shannyD]

i have been there.. what an awesome place. and great shots as well.

[EveryMilesAMemory]

Really, isnt that place just off the wall with the amount of unique stuff he has?!

I plan on going back and bringing my tripod and a few more pieces of equipment to get some better shots. These were hand held and the sun had gone down already.

Thanks for the comments

[mzad]

Wow, I came across an old Dodge on a farm the other day and wondered what the story was with the star. It had it not only on the badge but it was also embossed into the back of the cab, I had never seen it before. Now I know, thanks.

[PhotosGuy]

Interesting trivia.

[EveryMilesAMemory]

Thanks for the complementing photos. I'm going back to try and get some more photos in better light, I'll see if the star is on the back of the cab also.

[TooTall]

I have a long standing interest in automotive history. The Dodge brothers, John and Horace, by all accounts were not Jewish. The meaning of the six pointed star in their logo is not conclusively known, they apparently didn't tell anyone why they chose it. One good guess seems to be that the two interlocking triangles are two greek delta letters. The two deltas, or "D"s representing the two Dodge brothers. I know, it all sounds a bit "da Vinci Code" but there you have it.

Kurt O.

[mike ca]

Very Interesting! I never new That! Thanks for sharing

[EveryMilesAMemory]

Ok, maybe I should do some research before I make a statement. So here is what I found. Sorry for the mis-information with the orignal post.

The Dodge Brothers Club's FAQ states that the symbol was not chosen to anger Henry Ford, and goes on to say that "At the time the emblem was selected (most likely 1912-1914) it's likely that the Dodge brothers were unaware of its use in Judiasm. In fact, at this time, that symbol was not used universally in this context." It suggests these possibilities, among others:

1. These are two interlocking Greek letter "deltas" or "Ds" for the two Dodge brothers
2. A medieval symbol of mysticism and the joining of mind and body; in this case representing the joining of two brothers, who were very close, in this business venture (allegedly, letters addressed to just one of them would be discarded).
3. An abstraction of the square and compass of the Freemasons (this seems unlikely as well).
4. Nothing more or less than a badge with six pointed star similar to those used for law-enforcement officer's badges, some outlined with triangles. Sheriff, Marshall, and police badges frequently were and are six pointed stars. The old-west Dodge City badge had six points. Horace Dodge was said to enjoy accompanying local law-enforcement officers on their runs.

The Dodge Brothers Club News editor wrote that "emblem is also a "Solomon’s Seal" sign of interconnected spirits, as the brothers were."

[stathunter]

Very interesting. I was thinking about photographing their old neighborhoods in Detroit this weekend.
Thanks for sharing the pics!