Grimace was introduced by McDonald’s in 1971 as a purple, amorphous figure.
The character originally had a more complicated role in McDonald’s advertising and was associated with a pair of extra arms and milkshakes. The design was later simplified, leaving the large, friendly purple form that became familiar to generations of customers.
Grimace joined a wider fictional setting that included Ronald McDonald and other McDonald’s characters. Unlike a logo or slogan, the character functioned as part of the brand’s story-driven advertising, helping the company create a recognizable world around its restaurants.
People sometimes confuse Grimace’s debut with later redesigns. The 1971 date refers to the character’s introduction, while the simpler appearance associated with modern memory developed afterward.