Silly Inventions That Made Their Creators Surprisingly Rich
A $250 Million Smiley Face
Contrary to popular belief, Forrest Gump did not inspire the iconic yellow smiley face. That credit goes to Harvey Ball, who created it in 1963. Ball, a graphic artist, wanted to boost morale and brighten everyday items like buttons. He sketched the cheerful design for a marketing campaign but never trademarked it, earning just $45 for his work. Can you imagine such a simple design becoming a global phenomenon?
The smiley face’s journey didn’t end there
Bernard and Murray Spain later purchased the design, adding the phrase “Have a Nice Day” to it. This small tweak helped it explode in popularity during the 1970s. Today, SmileyWorld owns the rights and rakes in an impressive $250 million annually. From its humble beginnings to becoming a universal symbol of happiness, the smiley face proves that sometimes the simplest ideas have the biggest impact. Who knew a little yellow circle could bring so much joy?
