Media    From 21/2/1958 

Peace symbol

Categories: Craft / Design, Peace

Designed by Gerald Holtom as a nuclear disarmament logo for the first Aldermaston March, which took place Easter, 4–7 April 1958.

From the Hackney Gazette: "Gerald had first presented the symbol to his colleagues at the Direct Action Committee against nuclear war (DAC) on February 21, 1958, above the Fish and Cook Stationers in Blackstock Road." This conflicts with Wikipedia which says that Holtom took the design to "his local anti-nuclear group in Twickenham".

Holtom would say his inspiration came from images of people in despair but it can't just be coincidence that the overlaid semaphore symbols of "N" and "D" would form this symbol.

The logo was quickly adopted by the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and, since Holtom did not copyright the design, it was used worldwide to represent the desire for nuclear disarmament, and more generally, peace. It is one of the most widely recognised designs in history.

This section lists the memorials where the subject on this page is commemorated:
Peace symbol

Commemorated ati

Peace symbol

The peace symbol, designed by Gerald Holtom, adopted here 1958. London Boroug...

Read More

Other Subjects

William Caxton

William Caxton

Probably born Tenterden, Kent. Printer, in 1474, producing the first book printed in English "The Recuyell of the Historyes of Troye". Died Westminster.

Person, Craft / Design, Journalism / Publishing

3 memorials
Laura Ashley

Laura Ashley

Dress designer and interior decorator. Born Laura Mountney at 31 Station Terrace, Dowlais, near Merthyr Tydfil. She married Bernard Ashley in 1949 and they began designing and printing tea towels a...

Person, Craft / Design, Wales

1 memorial
Penfold pillar boxes

Penfold pillar boxes

Designed by John Penfold. They are distinguished by their hexagonal shape, with an acanthus bud on top. The originals were made by Cochrane & Co of Dudley, Worcestershire, and later replicas by...

Place, Craft / Design

1 memorial
Harold Stabler

Harold Stabler

Designer. Born in Levens, Cumbria. Closely associated with Carter and Company. The London Underground abounds with tiles and decorative ventilation grilles were designed by him. He was also skilled...

Person, Craft / Design

2 memorials
Edgar Wilson

Edgar Wilson

Maker of model houses. Born c.1870. At the time he made the villages he was about 75 years old and living at 70 Hamilton Road, Norwood. The Friends of Vauxhall Park are very informative: "The Mode...

Person, Craft / Design

1 memorial