The story I've read, however, I don't remember where, is that Henry J. Kaiser did not have the strong family roots that Joseph W. Frazer had (Joe Frazer's middle name is Washington and he was a descendant of George Washington but I don't recall how they are related). The Frazer family was of Scottish origin and KF used the Frazer family crest as a medallion on the Frazer cars. Since Henry J. Kaiser did not have a link to his family roots as Frazer did, he chose the buffalo as it was a "rough and ready American symbol." There may be other versions and I'm sure someone will chime in with one.