Origins of the Smile

We are all familiar with that original, simple, yellow smiley that started the era of emoticons. But do you know where this symbol originated from?

We have unearthed the history to share with you!

Nowadays we use emoticons regularly when chatting. They serve as a way to express emotions in a direct and immediate manner, and they ensure our conversations will express the tone and feelings we hope to convey to the end recipient.

In 1963, two insurance companies merged together. In an effort to keep morale high among employees during this big change the vice president, Joy Young, hired a freelance designer to create a small image as a campaign to raise excitement about the newborn company.

The artist they hired was Harvey Ball. The designer spent a total of 10 minutes hand-drawing a circle, a curved line for a smile, 2 dots for eyes, and made the inside yellow. That was all it took. Harvey claimed the color yellow gave it a touch of luminosity and optimism. And here the symbol was born.

The design was first printed on 100 buttons for the company employees, but soon even customers began to want one. Over time, the image gained greater popularity.

The image was first marketed by a television show that used the Smile as a TV personality giving them media fame until 1996 when the World Smile Corporation was founded. The WSC intended to use the symbol to promote World Smile Day on the first Friday of every October. This day raised money for various projects to help children. The corporations motto was: “Do an act of kindness - help someone smile.”

Over 50 years ago Harvey Ball created this simple symbol of positivity, and today it is still well known and often used. His work changed the way we express ourselves and brought happiness into the lives of many. Furthermore, today the symbol is still used in promotional for the original insurance company which he designed it for!

Wishing you a day filled with smiles!… How about to send smileys to your friends through yuilop’s chat?

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