The creator of the widely recognized smiley face graphic was Harvey Ross Ball.
While smiling itself is a natural human expression that has existed for millennia, the iconic yellow face with two dots for eyes and an upturned curve for a mouth was a specific design created for a particular purpose.
The Creation of the Smiley Face
In Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1963, graphic designer Harvey Ross Ball was commissioned to create an image. The goal was to boost the morale of employees at the State Mutual Life Assurance Company, which had recently undergone a difficult merger.
Ball's task was simple: create a graphic that would make employees smile. He reportedly completed the design quickly.
Key Details from the Creation
Here are the specific details regarding Harvey Ross Ball's invention of the smiley face graphic:
- Creator: Harvey Ross Ball
- Location: Worcester, Massachusetts
- Year: 1963
- Purpose: To raise employee morale at State Mutual Life Assurance Company
- Creation Time: Ten minutes
- Payment Received: $45 (equivalent to $448 in 2023)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Inventor | Harvey Ross Ball |
| Year | 1963 |
| Location | Worcester, Massachusetts |
| Original Client | State Mutual Life Assurance Company |
| Initial Payment | $45 |
The design was printed on buttons and distributed to employees. It quickly gained popularity beyond the company walls.
Legacy of the Smiley Face
Harvey Ross Ball never copyrighted or trademarked his design, believing it was just a small project. As a result, the smiley face became a global symbol used freely in various contexts, from popular culture and advertising to digital communication (like emojis). Ball later founded the World Smile Corporation in 1999 to license the original smiley face design and fund the World Smile Day® event, held annually on the first Friday of October.
The smiley face designed by Ball remains a simple yet powerful symbol of happiness and goodwill around the world.
