It’s not often, we I spend time wondering how some of the most famous logos symbols came about. Recently, I stumbled up on the thought process and design origins of the Peace symbol. Here goes…
“Gerald Holtom, a designer and former World War II conscientious objector from West London, persuaded DAC that their aims would have greater impact if they were conveyed in a visual image. The “Ban the Bomb” symbol was born.
He considered using a Christian cross motif but, instead, settled on using letters from the semaphore – or flag-signalling – alphabet, super-imposing N (uclear) on D (isarmament) and placing them within a circle symbolising Earth.
The sign was quickly adopted by CND.
Holtom later explained that the design was “to mean a human being in despair” with arms outstretched downwards.”
