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. The wheel was said to illustrate
"Civilization and Movement." 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 the "Rotary International Association." 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 a
power shaft, the keyway was to signify that the wheel was a "worker and not
an idler." So, in 1923, the keyway was added and the design which we now
know was formally adopted as the official Rotary International emblem.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
The foundation, the strength,
the goodness of Rotary is the individual Rotarian. He is the key to Rotary's
growth and service. In the construction of a bridge or arch, the keystone...
the most important element... holds the forces of the structure together...
In the wheel of the Rotary emblem, the key makes the wheel a functioning
unity when it is driven into the keyway, the little niche in the hub of our
symbolic wheel. The individual Rotarian is like the keyway and the key. He
gives power and makes momentum possible. He is the key to open the doors to
membership and service. The key turns the lock that opens the doors to
Rotary...
You are the Key
Edward F. Cadman
R. I. President 1985-86
His words and wisdom:
THE ROTARIAN, July 1985
Without YOU
Rotary is just an "idler", it just spins and nothing is accomplished.
With YOU,
the key, Rotary can function correctly and can change our communities and the world.