This is an interesting story of the team that designed the UN logo.

Donal McLauglin, helped design the UN emblem, dies at age 102

Earlier this year iSeek posted a brief article on the history of the United Nations emblem, developed by Donal McLaughlin and a team of designers.  Mr. McLaughlin passed away in his sleep on Sunday, 27 September at the age of 102.

At the request of organizers of the United Nations Conference on International Organization, the historic 1945 San Francisco Conference at which the UN Charter was drafted, the U.S. State Department asked the Office of Strategic Services to help create all the graphics.

Mr. Oliver Lincoln Lundquist headed the team of designers tasked with creating an identifying lapel pin for the delegates.  The seemingly small task of creating an image for the pin went to a team of designers, including Mr. McLaughlin who has been previously profiled on iSeek.  Mr. McLaughlin went through dozens of designs until he created what became the prototype for the iconic UN logo we use today.

A revised version of the original design by Mr. McLaughlin was officially adopted as the United Nations emblem by resolution 92(I) on 7 December 1946.    

As we look forward to the celebration of UN Day later this month, we can seek inspiration in the contributions that many have made to the United Nations in the course of their day to day work that has resulted in a lasting impact – in this case the design of a small button that became recognized world-wide as the symbol of an organization dedicated to all nations working together for peace and development, based on the principles of justice, human dignity and the well-being of all people.