Rotary International Logo
The symbol of Rotary since its early days.
A wheel has been the symbol of Rotary since its early days. The first design was made in 1905 by Chicago Rotarian Montague Bear, an engraver who drew a simple wagon wheel, with a few lines to show motion. The wheel was said to illustrete 'civilisation and movement'.Most early clubs had some form of wagon wheel on their publication and letterheads.
To address the growing number of emblems, the Board of Rotary International Association appointed Charles Mackintosh, of the Rotary Club of Chicago, US, and Oscar Bjorge, of the Rotary Club of Duluth, US, to the committee charged with standardising the Rotary emblem.
In November 1919 the Board adopted Oscar's design of six spokes and 24 cogs, along with a detailed description. In 1942, Will Forker, of the Rotary Club of Los Angeles, US, advised that the geared wheel was mechanically unsound and would not work without a key in the center of the gear to attach it to a power shaft. A key was added and in January 2924, the Board finally approved the emblem.
For many years, the wheel stood alone as our logo. Although the words 'Rotary International' were embedded in the wheel, they were hard to read from a distance. So in 2013, Rotary expanded the official logo to include the word 'Rotary' next to the wheel.
The Rotary wheel remains our mark of excellence and part of our official logo to this day.
Rotary logo is today considered one of the world's most recognisable logos.
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Are you looking for an opportunity to network with like-minded business people and contribute to global change? Sydney Rotary is your place to do it. Sydney Rotary provides access to the worldwide fellowship of Rotary.
For more than 100 years Sydney Rotary has attracted successful business people with a social conscience. People who understand the concepts of Business for Purpose, and Service Above Self.
Get involved and help us shape a brighter future! Contact Sydney Rotary today.