World’s Best Known Protest Symbol Turns 50

Nice little explanation by the Beeb of the origins & design of the peace symbol, first used by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament 50 years ago.

Gerald Holtom, a designer and former World War II conscientious objector from West London, had considered using a Christian cross motif but, instead, settled on using letters from the semaphore - or flag-signalling - alphabet, super-imposing N (uclear) on D (isarmament) and placing them within a circle symbolising Earth.

Holtom later explained that the design was “to mean a human being in despair” with arms outstretched downwards.

Peace_Logo

Kudos to my man Ackers over at Rabidgremlin for this link.

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