What visual symbol did McDonald's introduce in its logo in 1962?

McDonald's introduced the Golden Arches as the central visual symbol of its logo in 1962.

The arches grew from the architecture of early McDonald's restaurants. Architect Stanley Clark Meston designed two large yellow arches for the buildings, one at each side of the roofline. When viewed from an angle, the arches formed a distinctive shape that could be recognized from the road.

In 1962, company designer Jim Schindler combined the two architectural arches into a stylized letter M. That mark became the basis of the corporate logo and eventually became known simply as the Golden Arches. The symbol helped connect restaurant buildings, roadside signs, packaging, and advertising.

The arches are often confused with the first McDonald's logo or with the Speedee character. Speedee belonged to the earlier restaurant identity, while the Golden Arches became the enduring corporate mark. McDonald's later simplified and revised the logo, but the yellow arches remained its most recognizable branding element.