Like the smiley face, the peace sign and other ubiquitous symbols, the pink plastic lawn flamingo actually had an inventor. But Don Featherstone never imagined the life his creation would lead.

Millions of Americans bought the artificial flamingo he designed in 1957 to add flair to an otherwise humdrum suburban landscape. Others embraced them with irony as a symbol of bad taste. Still others — especially legions of college students — loved the fake bird’s goofiness and planted flocks outside the houses of unsuspecting friends.

The reasons for the flamingo’s enduring appeal mystified its creator. “I wish the hell I knew,” Featherstone said in 1997, when his invention turned 40, “because I’d do it again.”

Featherstone, whose flamingo was one of more than 600 plastic ornaments he designed during his career, died Monday in Fitchburg, Mass., of Lewy body dementia, said his wife, Nancy. He was 79.