Blitz Bureau
NASA’s iconic symbol, known affectionately as “the meatball,” turned 65 on July 15. It was developed at NASA’s Lewis Research Center in Cleveland (now called NASA Glenn). Employee James Modarelli, who started his career at the center as an artist and technical illustrator, was its chief designer, the US space agency said in a statement.
Official logo
The red, white, and blue design, which includes elements representing NASA’s space and aeronautics missions, became the official logo of the United States’ new space agency in 1959. A simplified version of NASA’s formal seal, the symbol has been launched on rockets, flown to the Moon and beyond, and even adorns the International Space Station, it added. Along with its importance as a timeless symbol of exploration and discovery, the logo is also one of the world’s most recognized brand symbols. It gained its nickname in 1975 to differentiate it from NASA’s “worm” logotype. The “meatball” and these other NASA designs have made waves in pop culture.
NASA’s brand elements are said to be very popular. According to Aimee Crane, merchandising and branding clearance manager for the agency, every year, the agency receives requests to merchandise more than 10,000 NASAinspired items.
Free admission day
A host of activities were held to celebrate the occasion, which included a cake-cutting ceremony, followed by remarks from the leadership, special presentations, among others. And to mark the “meatball” logo’s birthday and highlight the center’s contributions to its design, NASA Glenn hosted a free admission day at Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland on July 15.
