Smiley face creator Harvey Ball, of Worcester, Mass., autographs posters of the internationally recognized symbol for good cheer in his office on Monday, July 6, 1998 in Worcester, Mass. Ball, 76, is upset over French entrepreneur Franklin Loufrani’s claim that he created the symbol.(AP Photo/Paul Connors) Smiley-Erfinder Harvey Ball unterschreibt am 6. Juli 1998 in seinem Büro in Wocester, Massachussetts, ein Poster mit dem Strahle-Symbol.