What symbol became McDonald's worldwide logo in 1962?

The Golden Arches became McDonald's worldwide logo in 1962.

The arches originated in the architecture of McDonald's restaurants. Architect Stanley Clark Meston designed large yellow arches for the company's 1950s buildings, and the two forms were later combined into the familiar letter-like symbol by designer Jim Schindler.

McDonald's adopted the arches as a logo in 1962, turning an architectural feature into a highly recognizable corporate mark. The design was not originally created as an abstract logo; it first helped make roadside restaurants visible to passing motorists.

The arches are often described as forming an “M,” although their history comes from the physical arches on early restaurant buildings. Their color and simplified shape allowed the mark to remain recognizable across signs, packaging, advertisements, and international locations.