Saturday, July 23, 2016

Screwed By A Smiley...!

Ever wonder who invented things like the "Smiley?" I'll tell ya!

The man's name was Harvey Ball and boy...did he get screwed over!

Harvey Ball
The Smiley



Those of us born after 1963 may not realize that somebody had to actually come up with the most famous icon in the world—a yellow circle with a simple, yet elegant, smiley face. The design took creator Harvey Ball only 10 minutes to come up with and earned him a tidy sum of $45 ($350 in 2016).

He was working as a freelance artist at the time and was commissioned by State Mutual Life Assurance Company to introduce an image to raise morale. Ball’s design was made into buttons for the company and eventually went on to T-shirts, posters, and just about anything and everything else, even inspiring everyone’s favorite emoticon. The image has earned billions over the decades, but Ball only ever received that one initial check.

Ya know, to be perfectly honest Harvey was probably happy to get the $45 from his creation. Just imagine if he had held onto the design and claimed the credit for the design himself. Hindsight is pretty good, wouldn't you say?

Coffee out on the patio this morning. Hot and muggy!

5 comments:

Chickenmom said...

And now we know who invented it! Thanks Mr. Hermit!

HermitJim said...

Hey Phyllis...
You are most welcome. my friend!
Thanks for coming over today!

Sixbears said...

Designs get stolen all the time. A local bank was using a logo that they never paid for, but the artist never make a stink about it. Probably could not afford the lawyer -if you could find a local lawyer willing to sue the bank. In the end the bank was bought out anyway.

JO said...

That is really a shame to only received $45. for something that has made it so big in the world.

Not real nice here either, is it Fall yet? Guess not

HermitJim said...

Hey Sixbears...
I know it's more common than we know and happens all the time. Still, doesn't make it right.
Thanks for coming over today!


Hey Jo...
guess he was happy to get anything. Certainly better than getting nothing, I guess.
Thanks for dropping by today!