Atomkraft? Nej tak (Nuclear Power? No Thanks) / Smiling Sun

Created in 1975, this Smiling Sun was designed by activist Anne Lund as a symbol of the anti-nuclear movement. Previous anti-nuclear badges used yellow and black, but those were seen as symbolic of danger. Lund, with no previous design experience, aimed to define the movement not by fear, instead turning to the sun as a symbol of happiness and solar energy. 

Activists began selling Smiling Sun badges as a way to spread the idea and bring together a community. It served as a means of encouraging conversation within the community, in turn influencing larger governmental decisions. It most often appeared on  jackets, a successfully non-threatening form of protest and activism against nuclear energy. 

Since its creation, the Smiling Sun has been translated into over 60 languages and become the logo for the Organisationen til Oplysning om Atomkraft (Organisation for Information about Nuclear Power). This logo served a large role in influencing Denmark to never construct a nuclear power plant. In 1978, the Danish government finally planted a firm “No Thanks” on nuclear power, due to the success of the Smiling Sun.