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Reinventing the Wheel

A Brief History of the Rotary Wheel Emblem

In the first two decades of Rotary's history, its now-familiar emblem underwent several transformations:

1906

1910

1913

1924

In addition, individual clubs had their own versions of the emblem--often varying the number of spokes and embellishing the basic wheel with images of anything from portraits of US presidents to representations of local landmarks and assorted plant life. Some clubs transformed the standard wheel into ship helms, steering wheels, stars, globes, and other round objects. By 1920, according to some sources, there were 57 different versions of the Rotary wheel.

The authors of a January 1920 article for the Rotarian complained about the inconsistency of the designs, most of which, they added, were not even mechanically sound. In the March issue of the same year, William E. Fulton, of the Rotary Club of Waterbury, Connecticut, pointed out that the wheel must be "symmetrical--well proportioned throughout and so well balanced that it shall run smooth and true. It is precisely that way with the Rotarian."

In January 1924, in response to these and other concerns, the RI Board approved a new wheel design--based on the engineering of a real, movable, working gear. The wheel's official colours were blue and gold.

Significance of the Emblem

Today the Rotary wheel is not only a source of pride for Rotarians. It is arguably one of the most recognized emblems in the world--a symbol of people helping people, perpetually going forward in club, community, vocational, and international service.

Back in the 1920s, the Rev. E.K. Means of the Rotary Club of Monroe, Louisiana, spoke for all his fellow Rotarians when he said, "Our Rotary wheel means that our best gifts of service are rolling always in the right direction." It was true then, and true today--that's Rotary in motion!

For a complete history of the Rotary wheel emblem, see Joseph Derr, "How Rotary Set Its Wheel in Motion" (2003). Click here.