Jim Schindler created the first version of McDonald's joined Golden Arches logo in 1962.
Schindler, a McDonald's engineering and design executive, combined the restaurant buildings' two separate arches into a single graphic form. The result resembled an M and could work on signs, packaging, advertisements, and other media more easily than the architectural arches alone.
The logo was part of McDonald's effort to establish a consistent national identity during a period of rapid expansion. Its basic silhouette survived several later changes, making the arches one of the most durable elements in modern commercial branding.
The 1962 design should not be confused with the later versions that added or removed lettering. The central achievement was joining the two arches into one recognizable emblem.