Jim Schindler created the McDonald’s logo formed by joining two Golden Arches in 1962.
The design transformed architectural elements from McDonald’s restaurant buildings into a compact corporate mark. When viewed together, the arches formed the familiar letter “M,” allowing the brand to be recognized even without a full restaurant facade or lengthy sign.
This logo followed earlier branding that used the Speedee character and separate arches on the buildings. Its introduction reflected McDonald’s rapid expansion and the need for a consistent symbol across signs, packaging, advertising, and restaurants.
The arches had existed as building features before 1962, so the year refers to the creation of the combined logo rather than the first appearance of yellow arches at a restaurant. The symbol later became one of the world’s most recognizable commercial marks.