102 years ago, Rolls-Royce created its emblem for its automobiles. On February 4, 1911, the company introduced the famous symbol: a winged woman poised to leap forward. The sculpture was created by Charles Sykes, who named it 'The Spirit of Ecstasy.' The sculptor's favorite model was Eleanor Thornton, who served as the prototype for the statue. Unfortunately, Eleanor met a tragic death near Port Said—she was aboard a ship with Lord Montague, a pioneer of British automotive development. She was h2 photos

102 years ago, Rolls-Royce designed its iconic emblem—a winged woman ready to take flight—for its automobiles. The sculpture, created by Charles Sykes, was named ‘The Spirit of Ecstasy.’ Sykes based the figure on Eleanor Thornton, a beautiful woman who served as its prototype. Sadly, she lost her life in a tragic accident near Port Said while aboard a ship with Lord Montague, a pioneer of British automotive history. As Eleanor’s personal secretary and lover, she died when the ship was torpedoed by the Germans. Among car enthusiasts, this emblem is affectionately called ‘The Silver Lady.’ Nowadays, the figurine is manufactured from stainless steel and polished with a powder made from crushed cherry stones. Initially, it was composed of a alloy of copper, zinc, and nickel.

Because rumors suggest that the emblem is made of silver, Rolls-Royce has equipped its vehicles with a special mechanism. By pressing a button on the dashboard, a tiny hatch inside the hood can be opened to conceal the figurine, protecting it from thieves who are always eager to steal such valuable items.