Smiley 3D model

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The Smiley: A Global Phenomenon A smiley is a simple yet iconic symbol that represents a smiling face. Since its emergence in the 1950s, it has become an integral part of popular culture worldwide, used either as a standalone ideogram or as a means of communication through emoticons. Initially, the smiley was represented by two dots and a line to signify eyes and a mouth. As time passed, more elaborate designs emerged, featuring noses, eyebrows, and outlines. The first yellow and black design was created by the radio station WMCA for its Good Guys campaign in the early 1960s. This innovative design paved the way for more yellow and black creations throughout the 1960s and 1970s, courtesy of Franklin Loufrani and Harvey Ross Ball. Today, The Smiley Company holds a significant share of rights to the smiley ideogram and has become one of the largest licensing companies globally. The term "smiley" was first used in the 1970s when Loufrani trademarked his design in France while working as a journalist for France Soir. Prior to this, terms like "smiling face" and "happy face" were commonly used before the consensus on "smiley" was reached. Although some still spelled it as "smilie," the standard spelling is now widely accepted. The smiley has evolved significantly since its inception, transforming from an ideogram into a template for communication and written language. This transformation began in the 1980s when Scott Fahlman first proposed using ASCII characters to create faces and express emotions in text. His designs eventually became digital pictograms known as emoticons, which are loosely based on the ideograms designed in the 1960s and 1970s, featuring the iconic yellow and black design.