A wheel has been the symbol of Rotary since the 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".

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 "Key-way" in the center of the gear to attach it to a power shaft. Thus, the "key-way" was added and the design was formally adopted as the official Rotary International emblem.