Sign Language

Fifty years ago this week, the peace symbol made its debut at a British demonstration against nuclear weapons. By now it seems like some ancient rune that rose out of a primeval folk culture. It was actually the work of one man, Gerald Holtom, a London textile designer and peace activist. What he created may not be a work of art, but it's been an effective and enduring image, and one that, given the always dismal course of human events, continually comes in handy.

To mark the anniversary I wrote a little something in this week's magazine. And here's a link to a slide show about the peace sign as it's been used through the years.