1. Harvey Ross Ball was an American commercial artist.
12 Facts About Harvey Ball
1. 2.
Harvey Ball is recognized as the inventor of the popular smiley face graphic picture, which became an enduring and notable international icon.
3.
Harvey Ball never applied for a trademark for the iconic smiley image and only earned $45 for his efforts.
4.
Harvey Ball was a student at South High School where he started to take an interest in art.
5.
Harvey Ball was stationed in the Pacific and Asia during World War 2.
6.
Harvey Ball started with a sunny-yellow circle containing a smile, however wasn't happy that it could be turned upside down to make a frown.
7.
On July 18,1998, around the 35th anniversary of the design's inception, Harvey Ball appeared at That's Entertainment to meet fans and sign smiley pins and art.
8.
At this appearance Harvey Ball was shown copies of the graphic novel Watchmen issue number 1, which featured a notorious image of a smiley face with a splatter of blood across it.
9.
Store Manager Ken Carson was quoted as saying Harvey Ball seemed amused to see it on the cover.
10.
Harvey Ball founded the World Smile Foundation in 1999, a non-profit charitable trust that supports children's causes.
11.
Harvey Ball died on April 12,2001, as a result of liver failure following a short illness.
12.
Harvey Ball left behind his wife of 54 years, Winifred Trudell, and four children.