Unraveling The Mystery Of The Cool S: Its History, Shape, And Enduring Appeal
Have you ever found yourself doodling a very specific, pointy "S" in the margins of a notebook, perhaps during a long meeting or just while daydreaming? If you went to school at any time during the 90s or early 2000s, it's almost certain you drew, or saw other people draw, this particular stylized letter. It’s that very cool, very pointy "S" thing that just seemed to appear everywhere, from school desks to binders. This isn't just any "S," though; it's a unique symbol, a shared secret of sorts that many of us recognize instantly. Today, on October 26, 2023, it still pops up, a quiet reminder of a common experience.
Despite its widespread presence, a lot of people still wonder, "What's that cool 'S' thing, and where did the cool 'S' come from?" It's not a song or a movie or a fashion trend, so its ubiquitous nature can feel a bit puzzling. You know, like, how did something so simple become so universally recognized without a clear origin story? It's a bit of a puzzle, really, yet it connects so many of us.
This drawing has captivated people everywhere, from schoolyards to social media, and it just keeps on going. It’s a graffiti sign in popular culture, typically doodled on children's notebooks or graffitied on walls. This piece will explore the universal appeal behind "the cool S" drawing, looking at its fascinating history, how it's put together, and even some of the false ideas about where it came from. We'll also talk about its many names and what makes it such a lasting symbol. So, let's take a closer look at this iconic shape.
Table of Contents
- What's That Cool S Thing?
- The Shape's Many Names
- A Look at Its History
- How to Draw the Cool S
- Its Enduring Appeal
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Bringing It All Together
What's That Cool S Thing?
The "cool S" is, essentially, a stylized drawing of the letter "S." It's not just any "S," though; it’s a very specific "S" made of fourteen connected line segments. This drawing has been around for a very long time, and it might be independently discovered simply because it is a logical progression of combining some basic shapes. It has a distinctive look that makes it stand out from a typical handwritten or typed "S." People often see it and think, "Oh, I know that!" which is pretty neat.
The drawing has a rather unique appearance, giving it a sense of depth. The way the lines overlap in the center of the "S," and the appearance of a potential altitude change at the top and bottom, make it look like the "S" connects back to itself in the same way an infinity symbol does. This visual trick gives it a three-dimensional quality, which is probably part of why it looks so "cool" to so many people. It's a clever bit of visual design, really, even if it's just a doodle.
It’s that very cool, very pointy "S" thing that you drew in school, you know? It consists of two rows of shapes that link up in a particular way. The way the letter "S" is stylized and symmetrical makes it quite appealing. This same geometry means it’s natural that the shape would become used in different versions, perhaps even in other stylized letters. It’s a very adaptable sort of design, it turns out.
The Shape's Many Names
This iconic "S" has gathered quite a few nicknames over the years, which just goes to show how widely recognized it is. It's known by many different names, reflecting its various associations and how people encountered it. Some of the common ones include the "Stussy S," the "Superman S," the "Super S," the "Pointy S," and the "Graffiti S." You might also hear it called the "Universal S" or the "Middle School S," which really captures its common appearance in school settings.
The name "Superman S" likely comes from its strong, almost heroic look, while "Stussy S" is a reference to the popular clothing brand, though the brand did not invent it. It’s interesting how a simple drawing can pick up so many different labels, isn't it? Each name tells a little story about how people perceived or used the symbol. It’s almost like it has a whole personality, just from its different titles.
The fact that it has so many names just reinforces its widespread presence in popular culture. It shows that it’s not just one group of people who know it, but rather a lot of different communities and generations. It’s a very democratic kind of symbol, you could say, belonging to everyone who's ever drawn it. This really highlights its universal appeal, too.
A Look at Its History
Uncovering the Past
The exact origin of the "cool S" is still a bit of a mystery, which is part of what makes it so intriguing. Despite its ubiquitous nature, no one has definitively pinpointed its invention. However, instances of this drawing have been found quite far back in time. For example, one instance was found in an 1890 geometry textbook, which suggests it’s been around for well over a century. This really makes you think about how long simple designs can persist, doesn't it?
While it existed before, it became quite prevalent around the early 1970s as a part of graffiti culture. This period saw it gain significant traction, moving from perhaps a geometric exercise to a popular doodle. Children have been drawing the pointy "S" for what feels like ages, passing it along from one generation to the next. It’s almost like an oral tradition, but with pencils and paper instead of stories.
Some have suggested it may have originated from geometry textbooks, which makes sense given its structured, almost architectural design. The drawing has been around for a very long time, and it may be independently discovered simply because it is a logical progression of combining certain shapes. It’s a testament to simple, effective design, in a way, that it keeps reappearing.
Debunking False Origins
Over the years, many theories have popped up about where the "cool S" came from, but most of them aren't quite right. For instance, it’s not a song or a movie or a fashion trend that suddenly introduced it. While it's often called the "Stussy S," the Stussy clothing brand did not originate it, even though it shares a similar aesthetic. This is a common misunderstanding, and it's interesting how a popular brand can become mistakenly linked to something much older.
Another common misconception is that the artist Basquiat was its originator. However, that's not the case; the symbol is way older than his work. People sometimes see it in graffiti tags and assume it's part of a modern art movement, but its roots stretch back much further. It’s important to separate these popular associations from the actual, albeit unknown, history of the symbol. It's a bit like urban folklore, really, how these ideas spread.
The only place I have seen "cool S" in real life, apart from school doodles, is in graffiti tags, where the graffiti artist also stylizes the other letters of their name. This has probably contributed to the idea that it's a modern graffiti invention. But as we've seen, its history runs much deeper, reaching back into the late 19th century and possibly even earlier. It just goes to show that some things have a life of their own, beyond any single creator.
How to Draw the Cool S
The Geometry Behind the S
Understanding how the "cool S" is constructed really helps you appreciate its clever design. It’s a very specific "S" made of fourteen connected line segments, which sounds more complicated than it is. You’d start by drawing six vertical lines, then join them together into a middle section that looped like a ribbon. This basic structure gives it its distinct, almost three-dimensional look.
The design features two stacked triangles that are connected in a way that creates the illusion of depth. This gives the "S" its unique, almost ribbon-like appearance, where the lines seem to weave over and under each other. The symmetry of the design is also a key part of its appeal; it’s balanced and pleasing to the eye. It's a neat trick of perspective, honestly, to make something so simple look so complex.
The same geometry that makes the "cool S" so appealing is why the shape would naturally become used in variants. It’s a very efficient and visually strong design. It’s quite amazing how a few straight lines can create such a recognizable and enduring symbol. It's almost like a little lesson in basic design principles, just in doodle form.
Step-by-Step Guide
Learning how to draw the "cool S" (also known as "Superman S," "Stussy S," "Super S," "Pointy S," and "Graffiti S") is actually quite simple once you know the steps. It’s a fun little drawing that many kids would teach each other in elementary school, passing on the skill. Here’s a simple, step-by-step drawing tutorial that anyone can follow.
Start by drawing six equally spaced vertical lines. Think of them as three pairs of parallel lines. Make sure they are roughly the same height. This is your foundation, sort of, for the whole drawing.
Now, connect the top of the first line to the top of the fourth line with a diagonal line. This forms the top left part of the "S." You're basically creating a little peak here, you know?
Next, connect the bottom of the third line to the bottom of the sixth line with another diagonal line. This forms the bottom right part of the "S." It’s like mirroring the first step, in a way.
From the bottom of the first line, draw a diagonal line upwards to meet the top of the second line. This starts to create the lower curve of the "S." It’s almost like you’re drawing a little valley.
Similarly, from the top of the fifth line, draw a diagonal line downwards to meet the bottom of the fourth line. This completes the upper curve of the "S." You can already start to see the shape taking form, can't you?
Finally, connect the top of the second line to the top of the third line with a straight horizontal line. Then, connect the bottom of the fourth line to the bottom of the fifth line with another straight horizontal line. These lines create the inner structure and give the "S" its distinct depth and "ribbon" effect. And just like that, you were Picasso, almost!
Practicing these steps makes it quite easy to get the hang of it. It’s a neat little mental workout, actually, remembering the sequence. These kinds of simple drawing challenges have no violence, no empty action, just a lot of challenges that will make you forget you're getting a mental workout! It’s a very satisfying thing to draw once you master it.
Its Enduring Appeal
A Shared Cultural Moment
The "cool S" is more than just a drawing; it’s a shared moment, a secret handshake of sorts among generations. Before we had hashtags or usernames, we had this, the "cool S" that showed up on desks, on binders, on notebooks, in the margins of life all across the globe. You didn’t ask where it came from; you just knew it. And somehow, someone across the world was drawing the same thing, which is pretty amazing when you think about it.
She has first seen it during elementary school, where classmates would draw this "S" in their notebooks or the margins of their papers. She interprets it as something kids would also teach each other how to draw, a piece of informal education passed down through peer groups. It’s a symbol of connection, really, a subtle nod to a common experience. It’s almost like a little piece of folk art that everyone knows.
This isn’t just a symbol; it’s a shared moment. It’s a reminder of a time when simple things could connect us, without needing a big marketing campaign or a viral trend. It speaks to a universal human tendency to doodle, to create, and to share simple designs. It’s a rather profound little scribble, in a way, considering its quiet power.
The Cool S in Art and Design
The distinctive look of the "cool S" has even inspired designers and artists. While it’s primarily known as a doodle, its unique aesthetic has been recognized beyond the schoolyard. For instance, Tom Goulet’s “cool S” font captures the essence of the drawing in a digital format. Imagine an entire alphabet where every letter is just as cool as the "cool S" – it would make any word look cool, wouldn't it?
There are also various "S" symbols you can copy and paste, including different versions of the letter "S," unique "S" fonts, and symbols that resemble the letter "S." This shows how the idea of a stylized "S" extends beyond just this one specific drawing. It’s a testament to the versatility of the letter itself, and how it can be transformed into something visually striking. You can find "S" symbols to copy and paste just by choosing and clicking any "S" symbol, then pasting it anywhere.
Do you wanna be cool? You can even download the "cool S" font, allowing you to incorporate its unique style into your own designs or text. It’s pretty neat that something that started as a simple doodle has found its way into more formal design applications. Today, I learned that the "cool S" symbol is trademarked in the United States, but the owner trademarked it to preserve it, which is a rather interesting development for a seemingly casual drawing. It just goes to show how much this simple shape means to people.
Frequently Asked Questions
People often have questions about the "cool S," especially given its mysterious origins and widespread recognition. Here are some common inquiries:
What is the true origin of the cool S?
The exact origin of the "cool S" remains unknown. While instances have been found in an 1890 geometry textbook and it became prevalent in 1970s graffiti culture, there isn't a single inventor. It may have been independently discovered many times due to its logical geometric progression. It’s a bit like a folk art piece that just appeared everywhere, you know?
Is the cool S related to the Stussy brand?
No, the "cool S" is not related to the Stussy brand, despite being commonly referred to as the "Stussy S." The drawing existed long before the Stussy brand was established. The association is likely due to the brand's popular stylized "S" logo, which has a somewhat similar aesthetic. It’s a common mix-up, really, but they are separate.
How do you draw the cool S?
Drawing the "cool S" involves a simple sequence of steps. You start with six vertical lines, then connect them with diagonal and horizontal lines to create the distinctive overlapping, three-dimensional "S" shape. It’s quite straightforward once you follow the pattern, and many people learned it from friends in school. It’s a fun little drawing, too, once you get the hang of it.
Bringing It All Together
The "cool S" is truly a fascinating cultural artifact, isn't it? From its mysterious beginnings possibly in geometry textbooks, to its widespread appearance in schoolyards and graffiti, it has captivated generations. It’s a simple drawing, yet it carries so much shared history and collective memory. Its unique shape, with its apparent depth and symmetrical design, makes it instantly recognizable and quite appealing to the eye. It’s almost like a universal language, just in a visual form.
This enduring symbol, known by many names like "Superman S" or "Pointy S," continues to appear in various forms, from digital fonts to casual doodles. It reminds us that some things, even without a clear origin story, can become deeply ingrained in our shared experiences. It’s a testament to the power of simple, effective design and the human tendency to connect through shared visual language. It really is a pretty remarkable little drawing, when you think about it.
If you're curious to learn more about the history of symbols and their impact on culture, you can explore more about on our site. And if you're looking for other cool drawing tutorials, be sure to check out this page . The "cool S" is just one example of how a simple doodle can become a lasting piece of our collective memory, and it’s a story worth remembering. So, keep an eye out for it, and maybe even draw one yourself!
For more context on the "S"/cool S, you might also find information on Wikipedia, which provides a good overview.
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Cool S - Wikipedia
I also made a cool S alphabet. It’s back to school season I guess. : r
![Cool S - Wikipedia](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/67/"Cool_S"_Drawing_Instructions.svg/201px-"Cool_S"_Drawing_Instructions.svg.png)
Cool S - Wikipedia
