The Peace Symbol, Its History and Marketing

Draw the well-known peace symbol almost anywhere in the world, and show it to almost anyone over the age of 4, and you're likely to hear them tell you that the symbol means "peace." Walk through the halls of any elementary or junior high school and you'll see the peace sign all over in kids' fashion, young girls especially - t-shirts, shorts, shoes, backpacks, earings, pendants. People know the symbol means peace but not so many know where the symbol came from. On this edition of Peace Talks Radio, we'll talk with author Ken Kolsbun who co-wrote the book Peace: The Biography of a Symbol. He'll tell us the tale of British graphic designer Gerald Holtem, who came up with the design for a 1958 Ban the Bomb protest march. Since then the sign has been used to mean "peace" in all kinds of causes from stopping war to saving the planet's environment. We also talk with Leigh Golterman who created a peace apparel and accessories company called "Peace Please," which has donated its profits to peace organizations. Paul Ingles hosts.