The Big Mac became one of McDonald's most recognizable product brands after its national introduction in 1968.
Jim Delligatti, a McDonald's franchisee in the Pittsburgh area, created the sandwich because he wanted a larger hamburger for customers seeking a more substantial meal. McDonald's introduced it nationally in 1968 after regional testing and refinement.
The sandwich uses two beef patties, a middle bun section, lettuce, cheese, pickles, onions, and Big Mac sauce. Its layered construction gave McDonald's a distinctive product that could be recognized by name as well as by the corporate logo.
The Big Mac should not be confused with the Quarter Pounder, which was introduced in 1971 and is identified by its quarter-pound beef patty before cooking. The Filet-O-Fish, introduced in 1963, predates both products.