Designer of the 50-State American Flag, Robert G. Heft, Passes Away

Another sad note, but one perhaps with more quirk. This Saturday marked the passing of Robert G. Heft, designer of America’s 50-star flag. Heft created the layout as a junior in high school for a class project in 1958 based on the suspected upcoming additions of Hawaii and Alaska to the nation’s states (which would happen in 1959). After spending hours reconfiguring the 48 stars and adding two more, the design found its way to President Eisenhower who selected it as the new flag.