37 Photographs That Capture Defining Moments in American History

In the 1960s, graphic artist Harvey Ball created an iconic symbol that would become universally recognized as the Smiley Face. In 1963, Ball was commissioned to design a simple, positive image to boost the morale of employees at an insurance company. The result was a bright yellow circle with two dots for eyes, a gently curved line for a mouth, and two simple arcs as cheeks.

This simple yet powerful design became known as the Smiley Face. The OG smiley face. Its appeal spread rapidly, representing a universal expression of happiness and positivity. The Smiley Face gained immense popularity and became an iconic symbol of counterculture movements, spreading joy across various mediums, including fashion, art, and advertising.