The Helvetica typeface was created more than 60 years ago in Switzerland and it's still among the most popular today. It's been used for the signage of the New York Subway system since 1989.
NYC Subway —
The Helvetica typeface was created more than 60 years ago in Switzerland and it's still among the most popular today. It's been used for the signage of the New York Subway system since 1989.
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NASA used Helvetica on the Space Shuttle Orbiter and on its mastheads and letterheads.
Space Shuttle —
NASA used Helvetica on the Space Shuttle Orbiter and on its mastheads and letterheads.
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The classic American Airlines logo was created in 1967 by Italian designer Massimo Vignelli -- who also used Helvetica in the design of the New York Subway system.
American Airlines —
The classic American Airlines logo was created in 1967 by Italian designer Massimo Vignelli -- who also used Helvetica in the design of the New York Subway system.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Minor variations are often applied to the standard Helvetica typeface before it's used for a logo. That's the case with Lufthansa, which uses a proprietary font called Lufthansa that's nearly identical to Helvetica.
Lufthansa —
Minor variations are often applied to the standard Helvetica typeface before it's used for a logo. That's the case with Lufthansa, which uses a proprietary font called Lufthansa that's nearly identical to Helvetica.
DANIEL ROLAND/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The logo of German car maker BMW.
The logo of German car maker BMW.
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The logo of US car manufacturer Jeep. "The meaning is in the content of the text and not in the typeface, and that is why we loved Helvetica very much," says Wim Crouwel in the 2007 documentary "Helvetica" by Gary Hustwit.
The logo of US car manufacturer Jeep. "The meaning is in the content of the text and not in the typeface, and that is why we loved Helvetica very much," says Wim Crouwel in the 2007 documentary "Helvetica" by Gary Hustwit.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
A Greyhound ticket office at the New York Port Authority bus terminal in Manhattan.
A Greyhound ticket office at the New York Port Authority bus terminal in Manhattan.
Ramin Talaie/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Italian fashion brand Fendi's logo is in Helvetica Bold.
Fendi —
Italian fashion brand Fendi's logo is in Helvetica Bold.
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"I am not a big fan of Helvetica, but I admire its ability to spread and take root worldwide," said Ellen Lupton, curator of contemporary design at the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cooperhewitt.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum</a> in New York.
"I am not a big fan of Helvetica, but I admire its ability to spread and take root worldwide," said Ellen Lupton, curator of contemporary design at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
Troubled clothing retailer American Apparel made extensive use of Helvetica in their stores and advertising. They also produced a line of t-shirts showcasing the whole alphabet in Helvetica Black.
American Apparel —
Troubled clothing retailer American Apparel made extensive use of Helvetica in their stores and advertising. They also produced a line of t-shirts showcasing the whole alphabet in Helvetica Black.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Winter clothing apparel brand The North Face uses Helvetica Bold.
The North Face —
Winter clothing apparel brand The North Face uses Helvetica Bold.
ERIC PIERMONT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Swiss multinational Nestle uses a custom font that's nearly identical to Helvetica Rounded Bold.
Nestle —
Swiss multinational Nestle uses a custom font that's nearly identical to Helvetica Rounded Bold.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
The logo of Japan's Panasonic Corp., displayed in the window of their building in Tokyo.
Panasonic —
The logo of Japan's Panasonic Corp., displayed in the window of their building in Tokyo.
KAZUHIRO NOGI/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
"Helvetica may be boring, but it does serve a purpose. The fact that it is more or less universally available on computer operating systems makes it a reliable partner and a sturdy Plan B," said Ellen Lupton, curator of contemporary design at the <a href="index.php?page=&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cooperhewitt.org%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank">Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum</a> in New York.
Verizon —
"Helvetica may be boring, but it does serve a purpose. The fact that it is more or less universally available on computer operating systems makes it a reliable partner and a sturdy Plan B," said Ellen Lupton, curator of contemporary design at the Cooper-Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum in New York.
David Ramos/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Microsoft has long used Helvetica Bold Italic for its logo, before refreshing it to a new version that uses the font Segoe.
Microsoft —
Microsoft has long used Helvetica Bold Italic for its logo, before refreshing it to a new version that uses the font Segoe.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The logo of messaging app WhatsApp.
WhatsApp —
The logo of messaging app WhatsApp.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
The Apple Macintosh was released in 1984. It included Helvetica as its system font. Apple would later use Helvetica (and later its modern cousin, Helvetica Neue) on its iPhones up until 2015, when it was replaced by Apple's own San Francisco typeface.
Apple MacIntosh —
The Apple Macintosh was released in 1984. It included Helvetica as its system font. Apple would later use Helvetica (and later its modern cousin, Helvetica Neue) on its iPhones up until 2015, when it was replaced by Apple's own San Francisco typeface.
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A 1040 individual income tax return from, showing Helvetica.
US tax forms —
A 1040 individual income tax return from, showing Helvetica.
Tim Boyle/Getty Images North America/Getty Images
Helvetica used by the UK Government in a pamphlet distributed to households in anticipation of the Brexit referendum of 2016.
UK Government —
Helvetica used by the UK Government in a pamphlet distributed to households in anticipation of the Brexit referendum of 2016.
CNN
HM Revenue and Customs forms in the UK also make use of Helvetica.
HMRC —
HM Revenue and Customs forms in the UK also make use of Helvetica.
Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Detail of a poster designed by Patrick Thomas to celebrate the<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2F60helvetica.com%2F" target="_blank" target="_blank"> 60th anniversary</a> of Helvetica, the all-conquering typeface that was launched in 1957.
60th Anniversary poster —
Detail of a poster designed by Patrick Thomas to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Helvetica, the all-conquering typeface that was launched in 1957.
Patrick Thomas/Husmee Studio