A History of the Iconic Rotary Emblem

Rotarians can instantly recognize the wheel emblem as the symbol that represents Rotary International.

The wheel emblem, with a keyhole in the center, is a symbol of Rotary’s strength and power in communities worldwide, and the good that power has brought to millions of lives.

However, did you know that the emblem as we know it today did not always exist? Just as many popular logos evolve through the years, so has Rotary’s wheel emblem endured its share of changes since it was first introduced in 1905. The photo at left represents its 1912 iteration.

To see how the wheel has changed over the course of 105 years, take a look at this slideshow and story from the Rotary International website.