From the ancient Adena, to the mysterious Mound Builders and Hopewell, to competing tribes of Haudensaunee Lenape and Shawnee, to competing European powers maneuvering for supremacy in the Ohio Valley, to English supremacy, to American supremacy, Pittsburgh has transformed itself over the centuries to become a diverse, storied, historic, and complex city at the confluence of three rivers.

All of this competition and struggle from very different peoples and cultures, stemmed from the natural beauty and resources of the land in which they fought over. Coal-rich hills, thickly-wooded forests, flowing rivers, and a strategic location on land and water provided the allure that draws people here into the present day. The diversity, technology, academia, economic achievements, and challenges have even led to a unique nickname, as memorialized by journalist Brian O’Neil, The Paris Of Appalachia.

Fast forward to 1958, when J. Gordon Lippincott and Walter P. Margulies (of Lippincott & Margulies) finalized the ubiquitous logo we see today, to represent the prowess and quality of steel products, an industry ubiquitous with Pittsburgh. This icon was adopted by the AISI (American Iron and Steel Institute) by way of US Steel, and is also featured in the branding of the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a final touch, the featured icon adorning our state outline covers the space of the Greater Pittsburgh area, spanning seven counties.