Original 57 merit badges (Boy Scouts of America)

In 1911, 57 merit badges were issued by the Boy Scouts of America. Many of them exist to this day, these are in forest green.
Many of the others have been discontinued or reintroduced with different names. Of the discontinued original merit badges, four were offered in 2010 as part of the Boy Scouts of America centennial

Boy Scouts of America centennial

The Boy Scouts of America was incorporated on February 8, 1910 and is celebrating its centennial from September 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.- Uniform :The Boy Scout uniform was redesigned for 2010....

. These merit badges are in beige.

Soon after the introduction of merit badges, the ranks

Ranks in the Boy Scouts of America

The advancement program for Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts in the Boy Scouts of America is symbolized by the earning of seven badges, six of which are considered ranks.The advancement program is often considered to be divided into two phases...

of Life, Star, and Eagle

Eagle Scout (Boy Scouts of America)

Eagle Scout is the highest rank attainable in the Boy Scouting program of the Boy Scouts of America . A Scout who attains this rank is called an Eagle Scout or Eagle. Since its introduction in 1911, the Eagle Scout rank has been earned by more than 2 million young men...

were created to recognize the earning of merit badges; Star was moved before Life in 1924.

Merit badge	Subject matter	Original Logo	Status
Agriculture	Agriculture Agriculture Agriculture is the cultivation of animals, plants, fungi and other life forms for food, fiber, and other products used to sustain life. Agriculture was the key implement in the rise of sedentary human civilization, whereby farming of domesticated species created food surpluses that nurtured the...	Plow	Merged into Plant Science, 1975
Angling	Angling Angling Angling is a method of fishing by means of an "angle" . The hook is usually attached to a fishing line and the line is often attached to a fishing rod. Fishing rods are usually fitted with a fishing reel that functions as a mechanism for storing, retrieving and paying out the line. The hook itself... , Fishing Fishing Fishing is the activity of trying to catch wild fish. Fish are normally caught in the wild. Techniques for catching fish include hand gathering, spearing, netting, angling and trapping....	Fish	Renamed Fishing in 1952
Archery	Archery Archery Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...	Bow and Arrow
Architecture	Architecture Architecture Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...	Arch	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Art	Art Art Art is the product or process of deliberately arranging items in a way that influences and affects one or more of the senses, emotions, and intellect....	Palette	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Astronomy	Astronomy Astronomy Astronomy is a natural science that deals with the study of celestial objects and phenomena that originate outside the atmosphere of Earth...	Star
Athletics	Athletics	Wingfoot	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Automobiling	Automobile safety Automobile safety Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of automobile accidents. Automobile safety is the study and practice of vehicle design, construction, and equipment to minimize the occurrence and consequences of...	Red Wheel	Exists today as Traffic Safety
Aviation	Aviation Aviation Aviation is the design, development, production, operation, and use of aircraft, especially heavier-than-air aircraft. Aviation is derived from avis, the Latin word for bird.-History:...	Airplane
Bee Farming	Beekeeping Beekeeping Beekeeping is the maintenance of honey bee colonies, commonly in hives, by humans. A beekeeper keeps bees in order to collect honey and other products of the hive , to pollinate crops, or to produce bees for sale to other beekeepers...	Bee	Discontinued 1995
Blacksmithing	Blacksmith Blacksmith A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut... ing	Anvil	Discontinued
Bugling	Bugling	Bugle	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Business	Business Business A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...	Crossed quills	Renamed American Business in 1966.
Camping	Camping Camping Camping is an outdoor recreational activity. The participants leave urban areas, their home region, or civilization and enjoy nature while spending one or several nights outdoors, usually at a campsite. Camping may involve the use of a tent, caravan, motorhome, cabin, a primitive structure, or no...	Tepee
Carpentry	Carpentry Carpentry A carpenter is a skilled craftsperson who works with timber to construct, install and maintain buildings, furniture, and other objects. The work, known as carpentry, may involve manual labor and work outdoors....	Plane	Partially replaced by Woodwork, 1952. Carpentry introduced again in 2010 as historic merit badge.
Chemistry	Chemistry Chemistry Chemistry is the science of matter, especially its chemical reactions, but also its composition, structure and properties. Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms, and particularly with the properties of chemical bonds....	Retort flask	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Civics	Citizenship Citizenship Citizenship is the state of being a citizen of a particular social, political, national, or human resource community. Citizenship status, under social contract theory, carries with it both rights and responsibilities...	Ceremonial Ax	Renamed Citizenship, later split into Home, Community, Nation, and World
Conservation	Conservation	Forest	Exists today as Fish and Wildlife Management and Environmental Science
Cooking	Cooking Cooking Cooking is the process of preparing food by use of heat. Cooking techniques and ingredients vary widely across the world, reflecting unique environmental, economic, and cultural traditions. Cooks themselves also vary widely in skill and training...	Kettle
Craftsmanship	Artisan Artisan An artisan is a skilled manual worker who makes items that may be functional or strictly decorative, including furniture, clothing, jewellery, household items, and tools...	Calipers	Split into various Building and Handicraft merit badges
Cycling	Cycling Cycling Cycling, also called bicycling or biking, is the use of bicycles for transport, recreation, or for sport. Persons engaged in cycling are cyclists or bicyclists...	White Wheel
Dairying	Dairy farming Dairy farming Dairy farming is a class of agricultural, or an animal husbandry, enterprise, for long-term production of milk, usually from dairy cows but also from goats and sheep, which may be either processed on-site or transported to a dairy factory for processing and eventual retail sale.Most dairy farms...	Butter Churn	Merged into Animal Science, 1975
Electricity	Electricity Electricity Electricity is a general term encompassing a variety of phenomena resulting from the presence and flow of electric charge. These include many easily recognizable phenomena, such as lightning, static electricity, and the flow of electrical current in an electrical wire...	Lightning Bolt	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Firemanship	Fire safety Fire safety Fire safety refers to precautions that are taken to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a fire that may result in death, injury, or property damage, alert those in a structure to the presence of a fire in the event one occurs, better enable those threatened by a fire to survive, or to reduce the...	Crossed noozles	Renamed Fire Safety in 1995
First Aid	First aid First aid First aid is the provision of initial care for an illness or injury. It is usually performed by non-expert, but trained personnel to a sick or injured person until definitive medical treatment can be accessed. Certain self-limiting illnesses or minor injuries may not require further medical care...	Cross	Logo used continuously for 100 years
First Aid to Animals	Veterinary medicine Veterinary medicine Veterinary Medicine is the branch of science that deals with the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease, disorder and injury in non-human animals...	Cross w/Dog	Renamed Veterinary Medicine
Forestry	Forestry Forestry Forestry is the interdisciplinary profession embracing the science, art, and craft of creating, managing, using, and conserving forests and associated resources in a sustainable manner to meet desired goals, needs, and values for human benefit. Forestry is practiced in plantations and natural stands...	Pine Cone
Gardening	Gardening Gardening Gardening is the practice of growing and cultivating plants. Ornamental plants are normally grown for their flowers, foliage, or overall appearance; useful plants are grown for consumption , for their dyes, or for medicinal or cosmetic use...	Ear of Corn
Handicraft	Handicraft Handicraft Handicraft, more precisely expressed as artisanic handicraft, sometimes also called artisanry, is a type of work where useful and decorative devices are made completely by hand or by using only simple tools. It is a traditional main sector of craft. Usually the term is applied to traditional means...	Hammer and Plunger	Split into various Building and Handicraft merit badges
Horsemanship	Equestrianism Equestrianism Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...	Horseshoe
Interpreting	Interpreting Interpreting Language interpretation is the facilitating of oral or sign-language communication, either simultaneously or consecutively, between users of different languages...	Handshake	Discontinued 1952
Invention	Inventing	Gear	Discontinued 1915
Leatherworking	Leatherworking	Leather Stamp	Renamed Leatherwork
Lifesaving	Lifesaving Lifesaving Lifesaving is the act involving rescue, resuscitation and first aid. It often refers to water safety and aquatic rescue however it could include ice rescue, flood and river rescue, swimming pool rescue and other emergency medical services. Lifesaving also refers to sport where lifesavers compete...	Life preserver	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Machinery	Machinery	Wrench	Discontinued 1995
Marksmanship	Shooting Shooting Shooting is the act or process of firing rifles, shotguns or other projectile weapons such as bows or crossbows. Even the firing of artillery, rockets and missiles can be called shooting. A person who specializes in shooting is a marksman...	Target	Split into Rifle Shooting and Shotgun Shooting
Masonry	Masonry Masonry Masonry is the building of structures from individual units laid in and bound together by mortar; the term masonry can also refer to the units themselves. The common materials of masonry construction are brick, stone, marble, granite, travertine, limestone; concrete block, glass block, stucco, and...	Trowel	Discontinued in 1995
Mining	Mining Mining Mining is the extraction of valuable minerals or other geological materials from the earth, from an ore body, vein or seam. The term also includes the removal of soil. Materials recovered by mining include base metals, precious metals, iron, uranium, coal, diamonds, limestone, oil shale, rock...	Shovel	Renamed Geology
Music	Music Music Music is an art form whose medium is sound and silence. Its common elements are pitch , rhythm , dynamics, and the sonic qualities of timbre and texture...	Lyre	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Ornithology	Ornithology Ornithology Ornithology is a branch of zoology that concerns the study of birds. Several aspects of ornithology differ from related disciplines, due partly to the high visibility and the aesthetic appeal of birds...	Hummingbird	Was originally required for Eagle, replaced by Bird Study
Painting	Paint Paint Paint is any liquid, liquefiable, or mastic composition which after application to a substrate in a thin layer is converted to an opaque solid film. One may also consider the digital mimicry thereof...	Paintbrush	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Pathfinding	Orienteering Orienteering (Scoutcraft) Orienteering is a longtime component of Scouting programs such as the Boy Scouts of America and other Scouting groups. The BSA first class rank requires that scouts complete a one mile orienteering course by using a map and compass . The scout must also measure the height of objects, such as...	Indian Head	Replaced by Orienteering. Introduced again in 2010 as historic merit badge.
Personal Health	Physical Fitness Physical fitness Physical fitness comprises two related concepts: general fitness , and specific fitness...	Heart	Replaced by Personal Fitness in 1952
Photography	Photography Photography Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...	Camera
Pioneering	Pioneering	Ax and Pickax
Plumbing	Plumbing Plumbing Plumbing is the system of pipes and drains installed in a building for the distribution of potable drinking water and the removal of waterborne wastes, and the skilled trade of working with pipes, tubing and plumbing fixtures in such systems. A plumber is someone who installs or repairs piping...	Faucet	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Poultry Farming	Poultry Poultry Poultry are domesticated birds kept by humans for the purpose of producing eggs, meat, and/or feathers. These most typically are members of the superorder Galloanserae , especially the order Galliformes and the family Anatidae , commonly known as "waterfowl"...	Rooster	Merged into Animal Science, 1975
Printing	Printing Printing Printing is a process for reproducing text and image, typically with ink on paper using a printing press. It is often carried out as a large-scale industrial process, and is an essential part of publishing and transaction printing....	Printing Press	Merged into Graphic Arts, 1987
Public Health	Public Health Public health Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...	Torch	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Scholarship	Scholarship Scholarship A scholarship is an award of financial aid for a student to further education. Scholarships are awarded on various criteria usually reflecting the values and purposes of the donor or founder of the award.-Types:...	Torch & Book	Logo used continuously for 100 years
Sculpture	Sculpture Sculpture Sculpture is three-dimensional artwork created by shaping or combining hard materials—typically stone such as marble—or metal, glass, or wood. Softer materials can also be used, such as clay, textiles, plastics, polymers and softer metals...	Head
Seamanship	Boating Boating Boating is the leisurely activity of travelling by boat, or the recreational use of a boat whether powerboats, sailboats, or man-powered vessels , focused on the travel itself, as well as sports activities, such as fishing or water skiing...	Anchor	Split into Motorboating and Small Boat Sailing, 1964
Signaling	Semaphore Flag semaphore Semaphore Flags is the system for conveying information at a distance by means of visual signals with hand-held flags, rods, disks, paddles, or occasionally bare or gloved hands. Information is encoded by the position of the flags; it is read when the flag is in a fixed position...	Semaphore Flags	Discontinued in 1992. Introduced again in 2010 as historic merit badge.
Stalking	Tracking Tracking (Scouting) Tracking is a Scouting activity which involves laying a trail or following a trail laid by others. A trail is a series of signs, largely comprising directions, which are laid on the ground. Tracking also involves interpreting bird language to better understand relevant changes in baseline and if...	Raccoon	Discontinued 1952. Introduced again in 2010 as historic merit badge, and renamed Tracking
Surveying	Surveying Surveying See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...	Telescope
Swimming	Human swimming	Man Swimming
Taxidermy	Taxidermy Taxidermy Taxidermy is the act of mounting or reproducing dead animals for display or for other sources of study. Taxidermy can be done on all vertebrate species of animals, including mammals, birds, fish, reptiles, and amphibians...	Talon	Discontinued in 1952

See also