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.
In 1922 - It was decided that all Rotary clubs should adopt a single design as the exclusive emblem of Rotarians.
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.
In 1923- the keyway was added and the design which we now know was formally adopted as the official Rotary International emblem.