Arm and hammer

{{short description|Symbol of an arm holding a hammer}}

{{about|the symbol|the brand|Arm & Hammer|other uses}}

File:Mechanics-bank-arm-hammer-tn1.jpg in Knoxville, Tennessee]]

The arm and hammer is a symbol consisting of a muscular arm holding a hammer. Used in ancient times as a symbol of the god Vulcan, it came to be known as a symbol of industry, for example blacksmithing and gold-beating. It has been used as a symbol by many different kinds of organizations, including banks, local government, and socialist political parties.

It has been used in heraldry, appearing in the coat of arms of Birmingham and seal of Wisconsin.

The Arm & Hammer brand is a registered trademark of Church & Dwight, an American manufacturer of household products. According to the company, the logo originally represented Vulcan.{{Cite web|url=https://www.trivia-library.com/a/history-of-product-names-and-trademarks-arm-and-hammer-baking-soda.htm|title=History of Product Names & Trademarks: Arm & Hammer Baking Soda|website=www.trivia-library.com|access-date=2016-09-10}} Oilman and philanthropist Armand Hammer, who was named after the symbol by his socialist father, eventually acquired a controlling interest and joined the board of directors due to his name. He remained an owner until his death in 1990.{{Cite web|url=http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/182/did-tycoon-armand-hammer-have-anything-to-do-with-arm-hammer-baking-soda|title=Did tycoon Armand Hammer have anything to do with Arm & Hammer baking soda?|website=www.straightdope.com|date=1982-05-21}}

An arm-and-hammer sign can be seen in Manette Street, Soho, symbolizing the trade of gold-beating carried on there in the nineteenth century. It is referred to by Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities."In a building at the back, attainable by a courtyard where a plane tree rustled its green leaves, church organs claimed to be made, and likewise gold to be beaten by some mysterious giant who had a golden arm starting out of the wall... as if he had beaten himself precious." – A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens As of 2016, the sign there is a replica, with the original being held in the Dickens Museum.{{Cite book|title=The London Encyclopaedia|last1=Hibbert|first1=Christopher|last2=Weinreb|first2=Ben|publisher=Macmillan|year=2010|isbn=9781405049252|pages=524 |edition=3rd }}

One of the oldest visualizations of arm and hammer can be found on Svetitskhoveli Cathedral. It was completed in 1029 by the medieval Georgian architect Arsukidze, although the site itself dates back to the early fourth century.