From cheerful smiley faces to playful aubergines, emojis have become an integral component of our daily digital conversations. Despite their widespread use, one particular emoji has recently captured the attention of social media users across the globe. Perplexed X users have discovered a clandestine message concealed within Apple's rendition of the paper emoji, sparking widespread intrigue and debate.
The Viral Discovery
A now-viral video posted on X by user @White_Rabbit_OG has brought this hidden detail to light, amassing over 1.8 million views. In the clip, the user exclaimed, 'Just found out the paper emoji has an actual message,' prompting a flood of reactions from sceptical viewers. Many questioned the authenticity of the claim, with comments ranging from 'Nah it's fake' to humorous suspicions about being tricked. However, upon closer inspection, the secret message is indeed genuine—a clever easter egg embedded by Apple's design team.
Decoding the Hidden Text
As detailed by Emojipedia, the authoritative source on emoji meanings and designs, most platforms depict text on the paper emoji with simple dark lines. Apple's version, however, features a personalised note addressed 'Dear Katie' and signed 'Take care from John Appleseed'. The body of the message is extracted from Apple's renowned 'Crazy Ones/Think Different' advertising campaign, which ran from 1997 to 2002.
When zoomed in, the emoji reveals the following inspirational passage:
Dear Kate, Here's to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They're not fond of rules. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can't do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the ones who are crazy enough to think that they can change the world, are the ones who do. Take care, John Appleseed.
Historical Context and Significance
The 'Think Different' campaign is celebrated as a pivotal moment in Apple's branding history, emphasising innovation and non-conformity. John Appleseed, referenced in the signature, is a placeholder name consistently used by Apple in demonstrations and sample content, adding an authentic touch to this digital artefact. This discovery highlights how Apple infuses its corporate heritage and playful spirit into even the smallest design elements.
Other Apple Emoji Easter Eggs
Interestingly, the paper emoji is not the only Apple character to harbour hidden messages. The scroll emoji also bears the same 'Think Different' text etched onto its surface, while the credit card emoji is similarly signed by John Appleseed. These subtle inclusions demonstrate Apple's attention to detail and penchant for embedding nostalgic references within its software.
Broader Emoji Developments
This revelation emerges shortly after Emojipedia unveiled nine new emojis set to debut later this year, which were quietly added to Unicode's public archives. The upcoming additions include:
- Two new hand gestures: leftward and rightward thumbs
- A squinting face expression
- A meteor, lighthouse, and monarch butterfly
- A pickle, which some speculate might rival the aubergine's popularity
The discovery of Apple's paper emoji easter egg underscores the evolving and often surprising nature of digital communication, where even familiar symbols can conceal layers of meaning and corporate history.
