Whose signature is that? Identify these famous signatures that have stood the test of time
Can you tell who signed on the dotted line?
Over the course of history, signatures have served various purposes – a means of identification, legally binding evidence of consent, and a personal mark of honor or commitment, for instance.
The concept of handwritten signatures is based on the premise that we all have our unique handwriting style – something that sets us apart from everyone else.
However, clarity and readability are not a requirement for a binding handwritten signature – sometimes it’s next to impossible to decipher whose signature is in question (this is something that the profession of medical doctors is especially notorious for).
So, can you identify the following signatures by world-known people who have shaped the world?
1. Who is this controversial entrepreneur, innovator and public figure?
This signature belongs to a highly influential entrepreneur and inventor whose work focuses on advancing electric vehicles, space exploration, and neurotechnology to reduce global carbon emissions and enable human life on other planets.
You probably guessed it by now – yes, it’s Elon Musk.
2. What about this businessman, television personality and politician?
Known for his distinctive communication style and polarizing policies, his presidency was marked by significant domestic and international events, shaping the United States’ political landscape.
That’s right – it’s Donald Trump.
3. A tech visionary with affinity to a particular fruit
This person is renowned for his pivotal role in the revolution of the personal computer, smartphone, and digital music industries. His innovative approach to product design, marketing, and business strategy made him a key figure in the tech world.
Steven Jobs, of course.
4. A freedom fighter
This person’s leadership in the struggle against apartheid and his advocacy for peace and reconciliation in his country earned him a Nobel Peace Prize and made him an enduring symbol of integrity and resilience worldwide.
It’s Nelson Mandela, who passed away in 2013.
5. A two-time Nobel Prize winner
This pioneering physicist and chemist was first woman to win a Nobel Prize and remains the only person to have won Nobel Prizes in two different scientific fields (Physics and Chemistry). Her groundbreaking research on radioactivity led to the development of X-ray machines.
We all owe much to Marie Curie.
6. Entertainment industry pioneer
Walt Disney’s signature is as much personal and clear to read as it is iconic – probably one of the most recognizable signatures in the world. It showcases how a personal signature can elevate to become a world-known company logo.
7. A true icon
An iconic American actress, model and singer. Her glamorous public life, tragic personal story, and mysterious death have made her an enduring cultural and pop culture figure, immortalized in art, music, and literature.
The blonde bombshell herself, Marilyn Monroe.
8. Adventurer who aims to conquer the space
A British entrepreneur, philanthropist, and the head of a group which controls more than 400 companies in various fields including music, aviation, and space travel. Known for his adventurous spirit and unconventional business tactics, his ventures range from Virgin Records, which signed major acts like the Sex Pistols and the Rolling Stones, to Virgin Galactic, aiming to make commercial space travel a reality.
Who else than Richard Branson.
From ink on paper to digital signatures
The earliest signatures date back to ancient civilizations, where merchants, royalty, and commoners alike made their mark with a stylus on clay tablets in Mesopotamia or ink on papyrus in Egypt.
A lot has happened since the dawn of signatures, though. Today, we’re fast leaving the pen and paper behind for good and turning to electronic signatures. Compared to clay tablets, being able to sign digitally is a blessing: we’re no longer tied to time and place, instead we can leave our mark in just seconds on our mobile device, for example.
What’s more, identifying and verifying the person behind the signature has become much more reliable.
A document signed electronically with Zefort Sign, for example, results in a secure, encrypted digital fingerprint that is next to impossible to counterfeit. Also, Zefort Sign uses various ways to make sure the person entering the signature is properly authenticated – at the high end, Zefort Sign uses strong online authentication with bank login, for example.
Do you feel nostalgic and miss drawing out your name? Fret not – Zefort Sign lets you even use a handwritten signature right along with your digital signature!
