What two-word symbol became McDonald's most recognizable logo in 1962?

The Golden Arches became McDonald's most recognizable logo in 1962.

The symbol originated in the architecture of early McDonald's restaurants. Architect Stanley Clark Meston designed large yellow arches for the San Bernardino restaurant opened by Richard and Maurice McDonald in 1953. The arches were intended to make the building visible to passing motorists.

In 1962, McDonald's combined the arches into the familiar overlapping “M” logo. The design transformed an architectural feature into a corporate mark that could work on signs, packaging, uniforms, and advertising.

A common mix-up is to assume the arches were created first as a logo. Their earliest role was architectural, and only later did they become a unified graphic emblem. Their bright yellow color and simple shape helped make McDonald's branding recognizable across countries.