Old Gold and Black Purdue’s colors were adopted in 1887 ... Purdue Pete What started as an advertising logo for the University Bookstore in 1940 has become one of Purdue’s most recognized symbols.

Purdue Pete has been Purdue's live-person mascot since 1956. However, he began as a logo drawn by the University Book Store, which hired California artist Art Evans in 1940. According to the ...