Harvey Ball

Date of Birth: July 10, 1921

Zodiac Sign: Cancer

Date of Death: April 12, 2001

Biography

Harvey Ball was an American commercial artist and the creator of the iconic smiley face. Born and raised in Worcester, Massachusetts, Ball developed a love for art at an early age. He attended Worcester South High School and later the Worcester Art Museum School, where he honed his skills in graphic design. Ball served in the U.S. Army during World War II and returned home to start his own advertising and public relations business. In 1963, he created the smiley face for a client, which quickly became a global symbol of happiness and goodwill. Despite its widespread popularity, Ball received only $45 for the original design. Throughout his life, Ball remained committed to promoting positivity and community spirit. In 1999, he founded World Smile Day, celebrated on the first Friday of October each year, to encourage acts of kindness around the world. Harvey Ball passed away on April 12, 2001, but his legacy lives on through the enduring presence of the smiley face.

5 Interesting Facts about Harvey Ball

1. Harvey Ball created the original smiley face in just 10 minutes.

2. Despite the global success of the smiley face, Ball was paid only $45 for the design.

3. Ball served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was awarded the Bronze Star.

4. He founded World Smile Day in 1999 to promote acts of kindness and goodwill.

5. Ball’s smiley face became a symbol of the 1970s counterculture and was widely used in the “Have a Nice Day” campaign.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Harvey Ball

1. “Do an act of kindness. Help one person smile.”

2. “I made the smiley face in ten minutes and I was paid $45 for it. I never thought it would become anything more.”

3. “The smiley face knows no politics, no geography, and no religion.”

4. “World Smile Day is about spreading joy and kindness. It’s a simple and powerful message.”

5. “Smiles are free, but their value is priceless.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

At the time of his death, Harvey Ball’s net worth was modest, estimated to be around $500,000, largely due to his modest lifestyle and the fact that he did not profit significantly from the smiley face design.