What two-colored letter-form logo did McDonald's introduce in 1962?

McDonald's introduced its Golden Arches logo in 1962. The design used two stylized yellow arches that came together visually to form the letter M, creating a landmark symbol for the growing restaurant chain.

The arches originated in the architecture of McDonald's restaurants. Architect Stanley Clark Meston designed distinctive yellow arches for the company's restaurants in the 1950s, and the shape was later adapted into a graphic logo by Jim Schindler.

The 1962 logo helped separate McDonald's from competitors because it could be recognized from a distance and reproduced consistently on signs, packaging, and advertising. Its bright yellow color also worked well against the red backgrounds that became strongly associated with the brand.

The phrase “Golden Arches” describes both the architectural elements and the logo. It is sometimes treated as simply another name for the letter M, but the branding history specifically ties the term to the restaurant's arch-shaped visual identity.