The official name of the gold statuette is the 'Academy Award of Merit,' but the nickname 'Oscar' is globally recognized. The origin of the name is debated, but the most popular legend involves Academy librarian (and eventual executive director) Margaret Herrick. Upon seeing the statue for the first time in 1931, she reportedly remarked that the figure looked like her 'Uncle Oscar.' The name began to be used informally by industry insiders and columnist Sidney Skolsky until the Academy officially adopted it in 1939. The statuette itself depicts a knight holding a crusader's sword, standing on a reel of film with five spokes, representing the five original branches of the Academy: Actors, Directors, Producers, Technicians, and Writers.