Which McDonald’s logo design, introduced in 1962, formed the basis of the modern Golden Arches symbol?

The Golden Arches logo design introduced in 1962 formed the basis of McDonald’s modern Golden Arches symbol.

McDonald’s commissioned graphic designer Jim Schindler to combine the two architectural arches used at many restaurant buildings into a single recognizable mark. The 1962 design added a diagonal line through the arches, creating the stylized “M” associated with the company today.

The arches had first appeared as physical architectural elements in the 1950s, so the 1962 logo did not invent the restaurant structures. Instead, it converted an architectural feature into a consistent corporate symbol. The company later simplified the mark, and the arches became widely recognizable even without the McDonald’s wordmark.

A common mix-up is dating the Golden Arches to 1968. That year is associated with the addition of the arches to a revised McDonald’s logo, while the core Golden Arches design originated in 1962.