In the summer of 1932, American industrialist James Norris bought the franchise (Detroit Falcons) and renamed it the Red Wings. He imported the name from Canada, where he had played hockey for a club called the Winged Wheelers in the Montreal Athletic Association. That team's insignia--a winged wheel--struck Norris as a natural for a club representing the Motor City. The emblem became an automobile tire with a flying wing attached and has remained the same except for some minor artistic variations.
 

Legend has it that Jack Adams did not let his players throw the jersey on the floor or let the Winged Wheel touch the ground. He felt it a good luck charm and if it touched the ground that player might have bad luck.
 

Other then a few minor artistic changes the Wheel still looks the same way it did 60 years ago.  But in the past 10 years the same wheel that  James Norris brought to Detroit so long ago has become more then a crest on a players jersey.  It has become a logo on a kids t-shirt or a logo on a fans jersey.  Who would have thought that this simple logo would become what it is today.  I mean 20 years ago those jerseys were not available to any one but the players.  It was his uniform.  Why would any one else wear it?  But today you could not take a walk around Detroit without seeing some crazy wingnut with his Yzerman jersey on or his Shanahan jersey, four sizes to big, lacking pads, but still on him just the same.  What about the fans at the game?  It used to be more of a show.  Some adults and maybe a few kids would come, have a beer, and enjoy a game of hockey.  But today it is more like a high school rally.  The fans paint their faces red and dance around with signs.  Who would have thought?  Norris would never have seen it.  Howe would never have seen it.  Sawchuck would never have seen it.  Not even Scotty Bowman.  But over just 60 years that wing has become a way of life for Detroit.