In December 1963 Ball created the Smiley Face as we know it today for the State Mutual Life Assurance Cos. of America. The first Smileys were made into pins and handed out to employees and clients of the company that hired Ball to create a morale booster. He was paid a grand total of $45. for his original design. He never applied for a trademark or copyright and never regretted it according to his son, Charles Ball.
Over the years the Smiley face has been used for everything from pottery to telephones to underwear, and it has always accomplished one thing -- you can't help but smile a bit when looking at one.
But according to Ball, "Smiley has become so commercialized that it's original message of spreading good will and good cheer has all but disappeared. I needed to do something to rescue and restore that message. So I started the World Smile Corporation". Along with this Ball also started World Smile Day -- a day for good cheer and deeds. The first one was on October 1, 1999. The phrase for World Smile day is Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.
So today, even though you might not want to smile, think about this man and his work that is truly part of our American Culture -- and smile!
