Origin

The earliest known examples of the graphic are attributed to Harvey Ball, who devised the face in 1963 for a Worcester, Massachusetts, USA-based insurance firm, State Mutual Life Assurance. Ball never attempted to use, promote or trademark the image; it fell into the public domain in the United States before that could be accomplished.[1] As a result, Ball never made any profit for the iconic image he allegedly created beyond his initial $45 fee.

David Stern of David Stern Inc., a Seattle-based advertising agency also claimed to have invented the smiley. Stern reportedly developed his version in 1967 as part of an ad campaign for Washington Mutual, but says he did not think to trademark it.

There is no copyright or trademark on the smiley in the U.S.; however, there is in many other countries.

An American, and a Frenchman.

Last I heard, there was a lawsuit to figure out who owns the copyright.

It is a big deal since Walmart(?) uses it as a trademark.

Who ever wins stands to make a lot of money.

I found this news story on it, I haven’t read it, but it’ll start you off.

http://news.independent.co.uk/world/americas/article362675.ece

Good luck.

God probably invented it 🙂