McDonald's pre-1960s mascot was named Speedee.
Speedee represented the restaurant's original Speedee Service System, introduced by Richard and Maurice McDonald in 1948. The character was depicted as a small chef with a hamburger-shaped head and a speedy appearance, reflecting the brothers' emphasis on fast, standardized service.
Speedee predates Ronald McDonald, who became the company's most famous mascot after debuting in 1963. The two characters are sometimes confused because both appeared in McDonald's advertising, but they belonged to different eras of the brand. Speedee was gradually retired as McDonald's visual identity shifted toward the Golden Arches and Ronald McDonald.
The Speedee name also appeared in early restaurant signs and promotional material. It connected the mascot directly to the company's original service concept, rather than to the later fictional McDonaldland world.