The Spain brothers wanted to create a universal symbol of happiness and love at a time when the Vietnam War was bitterly dividing the country.
So Bernard Spain drew a smiley face, Murray added the slogan “Have a Happy Day” and together they bought the trademark.

By 1972 the yellow smiley face was everywhere.
It’s estimated 50 million buttons were produced in that year alone.
The smiley craze extended to posters, bumper stickers, cookie jars, shirts and so much more.
For the rest of the decade the Spain brothers smiled all the way to the bank.

**Footnote**
It’s believed the image of the smiley face was created by Harvey Ball, a graphic artist in Worcester, Massachusetts.
In 1963, Ball was asked to create a design for a morale boosting campaign at an insurance company. Ball simply drew a smiley face.
He was paid $45 for his design.