The Cool S (
), also known as the Universal S, the Stüssy S, the Super S, the Pointy S, and the Graffiti S, is a graffiti sign in popular culture and childlore that is typically doodled on children's notebooks or graffitied on walls. The exact origin of the Cool S is unknown,[1] but it became prevalent around the early 1970s as a part of graffiti culture.[2][3]
| Cool S | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Textual object |
| Writing | Latin script |
| Symbols | S |
| Created | 20th century |
| Classification | Trademarked in the United States |
| Culture | Childlore |
Shape
editThe Cool S consists of 14 line segments, forming a stylized, pointed S-shape. It has also been compared to the infinity symbol.[4] The S appears to have depth, where the overlap in the center of the S and the appearance of a potential altitude change at the top and bottom of the S make it look like the S connects back to itself in the same way as the infinity symbol does.[5] The Cool S has no reflection symmetry, but has 2-fold rotational symmetry.
Construction
edit
- The Cool S is started by drawing three short vertical lines, parallel and evenly-spaced, and then drawing another, identical group of three lines below them, separated by a gap the same length as each line segment. On a Cartesian coordinate system, these segments can be described as (0,4)–(0,3) / (1,4)–(1,3) / (2,4)–(2,3) and (0,2)–(0,1) / (1,2)–(1,1) / (2,2)–(2,1).
- Two diagonal lines are drawn, each connecting two of the line segments drawn in the prior step: (0,3)–(1,2) and (1,3)–(2,2)
- Two V shapes are drawn to create the top and bottom of the shape. One is inverted: (0,4)–(1,5)–(2,4) and the other is upright: (0,1)–(1,0)–(2,1)
- Finally, the two open ends are connected to the diagonal segments' midpoints: (0,2)–(1⁄2,21⁄2) and (2,3)–(11⁄2,21⁄2)
History
editThe exact origin of the symbol is unclear;[6] however, it is generally considered to be an artifact of childlore,[7] meaning that it is taught by children to children over the course of generations. Some people have even reported seeing the S as early as the 1960s.[8][9]
Jon Naar's photographs of graffiti in New York City, which were taken in 1973 and published in The Faith of Graffiti in 1974, frequently contain the symbol. Jean-Michel Basquiat's artworks also occasionally feature it, such as in Charles the First, and in Untitled (Olive Oyl) it is labelled "CLASSIC S OF GRAFF".[10]
In July 2020, the S was trademarked in the United States as "The S Thing" by a man who had no involvement in its creation. However, he claimed that he does not intend to sue people for drawing it.[11]
False origin theories
editSeveral unverified claims have been made about the origin of the Cool S. The name "Superman S" comes from a belief that it was a symbol for Superman, whose costume features a stylized S in a diamond shape, but that shape is different. It has been suggested to originate with the band Sacred Reich, but a member of the band denied this.[12] A marketing manager at Suzuki, whose logo was another purported origin of the symbol, denied that its logo ever contained the symbol.[12] It has also been suggested to be associated with the Sureños.[12] According to a prominent former detective, southern Californian gangs usually use "S-13" or "SUR" and "S" would likely not be associated with the Sureños.[12]
The symbol is widely associated with the fashion brand Stussy. However, Emmy Coats (who has worked alongside Shawn Stussy since 1985) has stated that it was not originally a symbol of Stussy's Californian surf company.[13]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ Shepherd, Rebecca (August 14, 2019). "This Guy Spent Five Years Researching The Origins Of The 'Universal S'". LADBible. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020.[better source needed]
- ^ Mailer, Norman (2009). The Faith of Graffiti. It Books. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-06-196170-0.
- ^ Acker, Christian; Gribble, Howard (April 2007). "Photographer, Howard Gribble Interviewed by Christian Acker". Handselecta. Archived from the original on August 20, 2019.
- ^ Lindwasser, Anna. "Here's The Story Behind That Cool 'S' Thing You Used To Draw In Class". Ranker. Retrieved August 11, 2019.
- ^ "Local Investigates: The Mysterious S Symbol". NYU Local. February 12, 2014. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ Neelon, Caleb (November 23, 2010). "Solve the Mystery of the Pointy S". Print Magazine. Retrieved January 29, 2017.
- ^ Beck, Julie (November 8, 2022). "Why Did We All Have the Same Childhood?". The Atlantic. Retrieved April 11, 2024.
- ^ "The story behind that 'S' thingy that everyone drew in high school". News.com.au. 1 August 2016.
- ^ Morgans, Julian (2016-07-27). "What the Hell Was That 'S' Thing Everyone Drew in School?". VICE. Retrieved 2025-04-10.
- ^ Hoffman, Fred (2017). The Art of Jean-Michel Basquiat. New York: Enrico Navarra Gallery. p. 211. ISBN 978-2-911596-53-7.
The double 'S' markings on the center piece resemble other marks and gestures found in Basquiat's paintings from this time [...] While it became less and less a part of Basquiat's art production, there are continued references to graffiti style in his paintings and works on paper, such as the 'S' symbol.
- ^ Morgans, Julian (July 6, 2020). "Meet the Guy Who Just Trademarked 'The S Thing'". Vice. Retrieved July 26, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Morgans, Julian (2017-03-06). "Investigating the Origins of the S, Again". VICE. Retrieved 2024-11-26.
- ^ Morgans, Julian (July 23, 2016). "That 'S' Thing Everyone Drew in School, What Is It?". Vice. Retrieved March 21, 2019.
No, this is not an original Stussy Logo [...] I personally get asked this a lot, but people have been drawing this S long before Stussy was established. People have just assumed it was Stussy and it's sort of spread from there. It's actually quite amusing.