So many of the symbols and icons we use every day are learned without ever knowing the meanings behind them. We just go about our days, pressing and clicking on buttons, without a second thought ...

Even though they all look very different, they are all represented by the same symbol. This circuit diagram joins a cell, a switch and two bulbs. Click on the next slide to see what the circuit ...

Here’s what the symbol means and where it came from. The iconic power symbol, explained The power symbol, which can still be seen on nearly all modern PCs and laptops, originated in the 1950s.