The Peace Symbol Is 50 Years Old
May 28, 2008
Memorial Day made me think about peace…
The peace symbol first appeared 50 years ago in Britain. The year was 1958.
Demonstrators wanted an image that could be carried by marchers in protests against nuclear weapons. This idea was brought to life by London textile designer Gerald Holtom. The Naval semaphore sign language symbols for N (nuclear) and D (disarmament) were combined.
It filled a niche. Anyone could draw it, and before long millions of people did. Over time, it evolved into a piece used by countercultures of all kinds. Hippies adopted it as an overall symbol of peacefulness.
In the late 1960s, the image began to appear on every sort of consumer product. The symbol is enjoying new popularity in nostalgia jewelry.
Comments
One Response to “The Peace Symbol Is 50 Years Old”
Got something to say?
[...] Continue Reading [...]