One of the most recognizable logo brands of the 20th century, one
that's still around (with modernized variations) here in the 21st,
celebrates its 60th anniversary Thursday. It's the CBS eye, which, only
in the most literal sense, is a black eye on the face of the CBS
network. Otherwise, it's a marketing triumph that would make Don Draper
weep with pride. (click below to read more)
The CBS Eye, with the CBS Television Network identified in the pupil,
and with the eye floating behind a sky of black-and-white clouds, was
broadcast for the first time on Oct. 20, 1951...
It was a busy, unbelievably fruitful period for CBS. I Love Lucy,
which would change the face of situation comedy and become the most
popular TV program in the country, had premiered less than a week
earlier (on Oct. 15, 1951). See It Now, the Edward R. Murrow
newsmagazine that eventually would help topple the Communist witch hunts
of Sen. Joe McCarthy, would premiere less than a month later (on Nov.
18, 1951).
According to the official CBS account, the CBS Eye was the brainchild
of CBS creative director Bill Golden, who had been asked by network
chairman William S. Paley to design a distinctive logo for CBS. Working
with graphic artist Kurt Weihs, Golden came up with what was then a
somewhat surrealistic, very modern design, with the suggested shape of a
human eye floating in mid-air, staring back at the viewer.
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