Which 1960s McDonald's character was created as the brand's first national mascot?

Ronald McDonald was created as McDonald's first national mascot in the 1960s.

The character was developed for television advertising after local promotions had used a clown named Ronald. The national version quickly became the public face of McDonald's family branding and appeared alongside the Golden Arches in advertisements, restaurant appearances, and promotional materials.

Ronald's design connected several visual ideas: a clown's bright costume, the restaurant's red-and-yellow colors, and food-related details such as the hamburger-themed elements of his early outfit. These features made him easy for children to recognize across different media.

Ronald McDonald is distinct from Speedee, the earlier mascot used to represent the McDonald's Speedee Service System. Speedee was a chef-like figure associated with efficiency, while Ronald represented the later family-oriented advertising strategy. The two characters belong to different stages of McDonald's branding history.