We must always give a nod, when both the Atlantic, and PBS have recently devoted and article and a special program on the history and importance of custom logo design through the ages. We see in the figure above the earliest known Pitmaster BBQ logo, from early Texan man.  Just kidding. Here is the video:

http://www.theatlantic.com/video/archive/2012/07/a-brief-history-of-logo-design/259893/#