In 1963, Ball was commissioned by State Mutual Life Assurance Company of America to create a simple design to boost morale among employees. He created the iconic yellow smiley face in just ten minutes, and it was used on buttons that were distributed to employees.
While Ball didn't initially copyright the design, it quickly spread and became a cultural phenomenon. The smiley face has since been used in various contexts, including advertising, clothing, and even as a symbol of peace and happiness.
However, it's important to note that others have also claimed credit for creating similar symbols around the same time. So while Harvey Ball is widely recognized as the inventor of the smiley face, the exact origin story remains somewhat debated.