Which McDonald's symbol changed from separate architectural arches into a single logo in 1962?

The Golden Arches changed from separate architectural arches into a single logo in 1962.

The arches first appeared as large structural or decorative elements on McDonald's restaurant buildings. They were especially useful in the 1950s, when roadside restaurants needed distinctive shapes that drivers could see from a distance.

In 1962, McDonald's combined the two arches into the familiar M-shaped emblem. This transformation was a major branding step because the symbol no longer depended on a particular building design. It could be reproduced consistently on signs, wrappers, menus, advertisements, and corporate materials.

The arches are sometimes described as having always been a logo, but their earliest role was architectural. Their later graphic treatment made them a portable corporate identity and helped unify restaurants that differed in size, location, and construction style.