I made a circle with a smile for a mouth on yellow paper, because it was sunshiny and bright.

At this appearance Ball was shown copies of the graphic novel Watchmen issue #1 which featured a notorious image of a smiley face with a splatter of blood across it. Ball was awarded the Veteran of the Year award from the Worcester Veterans Council in 1999. State Mutual similarly did not make any money from the design.

Ball was born and raised in Worcester Massachusetts. Harvey Ross Ball (July 10 1921 – April 12 2001) was an American commercial artist. He is recognized as the earliest known designer of the smiley which became an enduring and notable international icon.