User:Elektrik Shoos/sandbox/Municipal device of Chicago

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The municipal device of Chicago is a mark used by the city of Chicago, Illinois. As defined by city code, it consists of a Y shape inscribed inside of a circle.^[1] The symbol represents the north, south and main branches of the Chicago River, as well as their confluence at Wolf Point. Its earliest known appearance was in 1892 for a contest to design the city's flag held by the Chicago Tribune.^[2] While it was ultimately not used for the flag, in 1917 it was officially adopted along with the flag and seal as symbols of the city of Chicago.^[3]

The municipal device was widely used in the early twentieth century on civic vehicles and buildings but fell out of favor in the latter half of the century. The exact reasons for its decreased use are unknown, but was possibly motivated by concerns it would be confused with the peace sign, especially as some agencies purposefully flipped the device to celebrate the reversal of the Chicago River.^[4] In addition, as affordable vinyl printing made detailed signage more accessible, the device lost popularity on city vehicles in favor of printing the full seal.^[3]

It is still used by several civic agencies and companies around the city. The Chicago Public Library uses the device in their logo. The Chicago Theatre uses the device in their marquee.

References

^ City of Chicago (March 18, 2020) [originally published 1990]. "1-8-070 Municipal device – City vehicle identification". Municipal Code of Chicago (Municipal code). American Legal Publishing Corporation. sec. 1-8-070 – via American Legal Publishing’s Code Library.
^ Rumore, Kori (June 13, 2016). "Chicago's flag: The history of every star and every stripe". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
^ ^a ^b Gill, Andrew (June 11, 2013). "Chicago's municipal device: The city's symbol lurking in plain sight". WBEZ. Chicago Public Media, Inc. Retrieved September 22, 2020.
^ Bukowski, Doug (November 9, 1999). "City spurns its old symbols; has "I will" become "I want?"". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 22, 2020.

[code-1] City of Chicago (March 18, 2020) [originally published 1990]. "1-8-070 Municipal device – City vehicle identification". Municipal Code of Chicago (Municipal code). American Legal Publishing Corporation. sec. 1-8-070 – via American Legal Publishing’s Code Library.

[contest-2] Rumore, Kori (June 13, 2016). "Chicago's flag: The history of every star and every stripe". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 22, 2020.

[wbez-3] Gill, Andrew (June 11, 2013). "Chicago's municipal device: The city's symbol lurking in plain sight". WBEZ. Chicago Public Media, Inc. Retrieved September 22, 2020.

[trib-4] Bukowski, Doug (November 9, 1999). "City spurns its old symbols; has "I will" become "I want?"". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved September 22, 2020.

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