The creation of these two icons was inspired by Ayn Rand’s novel, Atlas Shrugged. There is a memorable exchange between two of the characters. It is a conversation that takes place on page 455 between Francisco d’Anconia and Hank Rearden:
This exchange is representative of Rand’s philosophy of how an over sized government can so overburden the vibrancy of humanity, its inventive and entrepreneurial spirit; what Rand calls the “motor” of the world. It is a direct affront to big government, socialist, and collectivist policies that over-regulate, over-tax, and seek to command and control all aspects of humanity. It is the image of the globe weighing down upon Atlas’ shoulders.
My first interpretation is the “Shrugging Atlas”, is a version of Atlas buckling under the weight of an imaginary globe. My second interpretation, the “History Atlas” replaces the traditional globe with a world-sized clock. It is my way of expressing how the history of humanity, the history of the world, equally weighs upon us and defines the direction that humanity takes toward the future.
You will find both icons on ExpressLiberty.com products, in order to convey the Libertarian, Objectivist, and Conservative values that we share with our clientele.
