The Power Symbol: A Story of Evolution and Standardization
The power symbol is an ubiquitous icon that we often take for granted, assuming it has been around forever as a representation of energy and power. However, its origins are more complex than one might expect, with a clear reason behind its design. In this article, we will delve into the history of the power symbol, exploring how it came to be and why it looks like it does.
The Power Symbol: A Breakdown
Upon closer inspection, the power symbol appears deceptively simple – a line and a circle. However, when we break down its components, we find that they are more than just aesthetically pleasing shapes. The straight line represents the number one, while the circular part symbolizes zero. This design comes from the binary system, where one means on and zero means off. When combined, these two elements form a symbol that is easily understood as representing power in its simplest form – turning on and off.
A Problem Arises
Before the power symbol existed, power switches were often simply labeled with the words "on" or "off". While this was sufficient for English-speaking users, it became a problem when electronic imports and exports exploded during the mid-20th century. The word "on" and "off" were only meaningful to English speakers, leaving other languages in the dark. Furthermore, words are arguably less elegant and compact than icons of some kind. It was clear that an international power symbol was needed.
The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Steps In
Enter the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), a non-profit, non-governmental organization based in Geneva, Switzerland. The IEC's mission is to standardize electrical technologies, and it is one of many groups working towards this goal. In 1973, the IEC introduced universal power symbols through Standard 60417, titled "Electrical signs for the marking of electric appliances."
A Global Market Awaits
As automobile sales turned into a global market, the need for a language-agnostic symbol became increasingly apparent. With technical functions requiring labeling across vehicles worldwide, the IEC realized that standardization was key to avoiding confusion and ensuring safety. The power symbol, along with its companions in the 60417 Standard, took center stage as the solution.
A New Era of Standardization
The introduction of universal power symbols marked a new era in standardization. With this single symbol, manufacturers could cater to a global audience, eliminating language barriers and promoting efficiency. Today, the power symbol is an essential component in electronics and appliances worldwide, a testament to the IEC's tireless efforts towards standardizing electrical technologies.
The Power Symbol: A Lasting Legacy
As we continue to harness electricity and navigate the world of technology, the power symbol remains a ubiquitous presence. Its simple design belies its rich history, which spans decades of innovation and standardization. As we move forward into an increasingly interconnected world, it is essential that we recognize the role of symbols like the power symbol in promoting understanding and facilitating global communication.
In conclusion, the power symbol's story is one of evolution, cooperation, and standardization. From its binary roots to its adoption as a universal icon, this simple shape has become synonymous with energy and power. As we continue to push the boundaries of technology and innovation, it is essential that we remember the humble origins of symbols like the power symbol, and the organizations like the IEC that make them possible.
"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enThe power symbol. I imagine mostnever give it much thought. Perhaps you justaccept that it's the symbol for power,one of those things that's seemingly been aroundforever. But someone had to comeup with it at some point in the past, andit turns out there is a clear reasonthat it looks the way it does. Not onlythat, but there's more than one symbolfor power when it comes to technologyand each one means something different.But let's not get ahead of ourselves.To answer the big question of why the powersymbol looks like this you have to takeapart the symbol itself. This line righthere is meant to symbolize the numberone and the circular part symbolizeszero. The idea comes from the binarysystem where one means on and zero meansoff, put them together and you have asymbol that is supposed to be easilyunderstood as the symbol for powerturning on and off regardless of whatlanguage the end user speaks.Now, before this symbol existed power switches wereoften simply labeled with the word on or off,and sometimes they still are today,there's actually nothing forcing anyoneto use the power symbol on theirproducts. But a dilemma arose during themid 20th century when electronic importsand exports were exploding and the wordson and off were obviously onlymeaningful to English speakers.Combined with the fact that words are arguablyless elegant and compact than an icon ofsome kind, and it was decided that aninternational power symbol was needed.And it wasn't just electronics andappliances that needed a ubiquitouslanguage agnostic symbol, automobilesales were quickly turning into a globalmarket as well, and there are a ton oftechnical functions that need labeling,many of which are commonplace acrossvehicles worldwide.Enter the International Electrotechnical Commissionor IEC, currently based inGeneva, Switzerland. The IEC is anon-profit non-governmentalinternational standards organization,one of many groups that exists with the goalof standardizing electrical technologies.Universal power symbols were firstintroduced in 1973through the International Electrotechnical Commission 60417 Standard,titled \"Graphical Symbols for Use on Equipment.\"The power symbol we talkedabout earlier is actually called IEC 60417/5009It is retroactively referred to as thestandby symbol. This symbol actuallymeans that pressing it can toggle thedevice's power state, but does notcompletely cut off power at the powersupply or the mains itself. That's whyyou see this so often on desktopcomputers and laptops because, pressingit often engages a soft reset or softpower off. Conversely if you look at thepower switch on a power supply, you'llprobably see the line and the circle ofthe power symbol separately on each sideof the switch.That means that toggling the switchone way or another willenable or disable the power completely.Similarly there is the power on/offsymbol, which has the line inside of thecircle, and this means that pressing itwill either power a device fully on orfully off with nothing in between.And then there's a somewhat related symbol,the waning crescent moon known as thepower sleep symbol. This is mostly seenon desktop computer keyboards andindicates that pressing it will put themachine into sleep mode without cuttingpower. This was created by the Instituteof Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)under the notion that the standby symbolalready in use was too vague. But yeah,the full IEC 604 17 standard isabsolutely massive and prettyfascinating if you ask me, definingthousands of internationally usedsymbols. Pretty much every button orfunction you see on electronics,automobiles and appliances made sincethe mid-70s came from this list ofdefinitions: power standby, high beams, play,pause, low battery, macro mode, risk ofelectric shock, fragile, handle with care,wireless communication, tape recorder,operating system, or command key, the listgoes on and on. I find this whole listoddly enjoyable to sift through.There's just a satisfying aesthetic to thesethings, and a minimalist yet effectiveartistry going on, and it's kind of funto pick one you don't know and try toguess what it means without looking it up;after all these are meant to beunderstandable regardless of whatlanguage you speak. There is somethingadmirable about the pursuit of trying tosay the most by using the absolute least,a sort of modern hieroglyphics,understood not by any one community, butby an entire planet. But as for the powersymbol in particular it seems to havethe most universal appeal, regardless ofits original meaning or intent. You seeit on t-shirts, corporate logos,art exhibits, album covers, and even thingslike cufflinks, earrings and tattoos.Of all the symbols defined in IEC 60417,the one for power is arguably the one to havebest achieved its goal of ubiquityaround the world, especially among thetech loving community. Maybe it's just me,but I think it's pretty neat to thinkabout the symbols we use every daywithout a second glance, and now maybe you will too.And if you enjoyed this video, I thinkyou might like some of my others. I likecovering niche tech topics, it's just kindof my thing, if you like that stickaround, and as always thank you very muchfor watching LGR.\n"
