Which architectural feature became the basis of the McDonald's Golden Arches?

The McDonald's Golden Arches were based on two parabolic arches.

Architect Stanley Clark Meston designed the restaurant buildings used by McDonald's in the 1950s, incorporating large yellow arches at the sides of the structure. Their bold shape made the restaurants visible from roads and helped distinguish the brand in the era of roadside dining.

The arches were initially architectural features rather than a standalone corporate logo. In 1962, designer Jim Schindler combined the two shapes into the familiar “M” symbol, turning the building design into a portable brand mark.

The Golden Arches are sometimes described simply as a yellow letter M. Historically, however, the mark grew from two separate parabolic structures on restaurant buildings. That architectural origin explains why the symbol became associated with McDonald's before appearing widely on signs, packaging, and advertising.