Which architect designed the two yellow arches that inspired McDonald’s later logo?

Architect Stanley Meston designed the two yellow arches that inspired McDonald’s later logo.

Meston worked with the McDonald brothers and their contractor, Charles Fish, on the design of the new McDonald’s restaurant in Downey, California. The building used large golden arches at the sides of the structure, making the restaurant visible to passing motorists. Their bright, highly recognizable form became one of the earliest major visual elements of McDonald’s branding.

The arches were originally architectural features rather than a standalone corporate logo. In 1962, designer Jim Schindler combined the two arches into the familiar M-shaped symbol. That change transformed an element of restaurant architecture into a portable mark used on signs, packaging, advertising, and merchandise.

People sometimes credit Schindler with designing the original arches themselves. His contribution was the later logo treatment; Meston designed the architectural arches that preceded it.