The Rotary Wheel

A wheel has been the symbol of Rotary since our earliest days.  The first design was made by Chicago Rotarian Montague Bear, an engraver who drew a simple wagon wheel, with a few lines to show dust and motion.  Most of the early clubs had some form of wagon wheel on their publications and letterheads.  Finally, in 1922, it was decided that all Rotary clubs should adopt a single design as the exclusive emblem of Rotarians.  Thus, in 1923, the present gear wheel, with 24 cogs and six spokes was adopted by Rotary International.  A group of engineers advised that the geared wheel was mechanically unsound and would not work without a “keyway” in the center of the gear to attach it to the power shaft.  So, in 1923 the keyway was added and the design which we know now was formally adopted as the official Rotary International emblem.

-          Taken from The ABCs of Rotary