When naming our organization, we knew we needed to dig deeper than simply something flashy or fun. It was – and is – important to us that we build a brand upon a foundation of reliability, strength, and collaboration. As we sought out a namesake that would unite our goals, values, and mission to promote disaster preparedness and awareness, we were reminded of the story of Prometheus and felt called to learn more. 

Meet Prometheus, the Greek god who defied the odds – and the gods.

We quickly realized that the long-admired myth of Prometheus would serve as a fantastic backbone for what we believe in. Known for having stolen fire from the gods before turning around and hand-delivering it to humanity, the Titan legend symbolizes what it means to innovate, collaborate, and prepare. Some refer to him as the champion of humankind, and that’s a title we can get behind. 

Prometheus was a Titan, otherwise known as a race of divine beings who existed before the Olympian gods. As the legend states, he was the son of the Titan Iapetus and the Oceanid Clymene. Prometheus has always been portrayed as a benefactor of humanity and was known for assisting and supporting others in a variety of ways. 

Man formed by Prometheus and animated by Athena, Jean-Simon Berthélemy, Louvre Museum

Perhaps the most famous tale involving Prometheus centers around the creation of humans. According to the myth, following the war between the Titans and the Olympian gods, Prometheus and his brother – Epimetheus – were assigned by Zeus to create mortal creatures and endow them with specific gifts. Epimetheus was tasked with creating the animals, granting them various attributes like strength and speed. By the time he finished, however, he realized that he had no gifts left to give to humans. Unfortunately, this left humankind vulnerable and helpless. 

Thanks to Prometheus’s quick thinking and willingness to intervene, he boldly ascended to Mount Olympus. In a risky and rebellious act, he stole the divine fire from Hephaestus’s forge and Athena’s loom. Seen as a symbol of knowledge, progress, and civilization, these flames and the concept of fire were a meaningful target. By gifting this fire to humanity, Prometheus is said to have brought enlightenment, enabling humans to cook food, create warmth, and develop technologies that would help them thrive. 

Prometheus, Paul Manship, Rockefeller Center

Prometheus Bound and the Oceanids, Eduard Müller,  Alte Nationalgalerie 

The act of delivering a precious resource to those most vulnerable is something we can all agree on. We were proud to build our own brand atop the shoulders of such a magnificent myth, but the story doesn’t end here…

Eventually, Prometheus returned to the realm of the living and now stands as an iconic example of defiance and resilience. His willingness to suffer for the betterment of humanity is what makes him someone we’re proud to hang our hats on. Directly translating to “forethought” or “forethinker,” Prometheus symbolizes the ability to see beyond the immediate consequences and instead address the root of the issue. 

For us, these teachings go hand-in-hand with our passion for preparedness and comprehensive approaches to disaster response. When humankind needs it most, we hope to serve as a beacon of strength and community, collaborating to face challenges head-on. 

The myth of Prometheus remains a powerful and enduring symbol of human potential, defiance, rebellion, and the endless pursuit of knowledge and progress, despite the many risks involved. On our journey to do the same for our fellow planet-dwellers, we embrace several of the qualities that Prometheus was said to possess, including his incredible intelligence, an affinity for science, distinct courage and bravery, and a passion for humble humanitarianism.