1792 Style’s Defining Moments in History

1377
The Pocket Square

King Richard II of England (1377-1399) introduced and popularized the square cloth handkerchief. It spread to European dignitaries, who commissioned them from fine imported silk, often adding beautiful ornamental stitching with their family crest or personal mark. Carrying a pristine cloth in one’s pocket is still a perfect way to wipe away any blemishes of the day, while elegantly completing any ensemble.

1400
Diamonds

The allure of diamonds began in India over 3,000 years ago, when they were first discovered in rivers and streams and revered by the noble and wealthy of India. By the 1400s, diamonds had become fashionable accessories for Europe’s elite. Archduke Maximillian of Austria gave the first recorded diamond engagement ring to Mary of Burgundy in 1477. The royal gift spurred the trend of using diamond rings for wedding gifts among royalty. The delicate, yet powerful beauty of the diamond continues to be adored the world over.

1502
Golf

The first record of a golf-like game was played in 1297, when the Dutch used a stick and leather ball to see who could hit the ball with the least number of strokes into a target hundreds of yards away. Modern golf evolved from Scotland during the Middle Ages. The Gentleman’s Sport was so popular that it was banned by King James II in 1502 for being a distraction from military duties. Today golf has become a game of finesse and decorum that challenges people the world over.

1571
Wristwatch

In 1571, Robert Dudley gave Queen Elizabeth I of England an “arm watch” as a gift. For centuries, wristwatches were viewed as a female accessory. In the late 1800s they became popular for men when soldiers discovered the ingenious practicality of using wristwatches to keep track of time in combat. Many credit the British victory of the Anglo-Boer War (1899-1902) to smokeless gunpowder, the magazine-fed rifle, and the wristwatch. The progression of the wristwatch as an essential timepiece to an elegant accessory is credited to innovative designers such as Louis Cartier and Hans Wilder.

1700
The Toast

The word “toast” originates from the Roman practice of dousing burnt bread in wine. During Grecian Times, the toast signified trust, as clinking glasses together caused drinks to spill over into others, and guaranteed no one had poisoned another’s glass. By the 1700’s “toasting” signified goodwill and camaraderie. French and British courts included toasts at dinner, professing of heroic deeds or an absent friend. Those often mentioned became “the toast of the town.” Today, no festivity is complete without a well-delivered “toast,” and the joining of glasses together in celebration.

1709
Cologne

In 1709, an Italian named Giovanni Maria Farin founded the oldest perfume factory still in existence today in Cologne, Germany. He created a refreshing, light, unisex fragrance named Eau de Cologne. It became a staple of royal houses in Europe. Napoleon used an average of 54 bottles of cologne each month, and wore his favorite scent into battle. King Louis XIV of France prescribed that members of the court wear a different fragrance each day. During the Great Depression, an American cologne after-shave was introduced and considered the ultimate morale booster.

1711
The Piano

The design of the modern piano is credited to an Italian named Bartolomeo Cristofori. Employed as the Keeper of Instruments, Cristofori was an expert craftsman of the harpsichord, an early version of the modern piano. The Harpsichord lacked the finesse needed to play complex music. Cristofori perfected the harpsichord with new designs. The designs went unnoticed until 1711, when an Italian writer published an article displaying a diagram of the improved instrument, calling it a “fortepiano,” meaning “loud and soft.” The article was distributed across Italy, creating a new era of pianos based on Cristofori’s design.

1792
Bourbon

When the Commonwealth of Kentucky joined the union in 1792, American whiskey craftsmanship was still in its infancy. The Kentucky distilling industry emerged from the combination of fertile soil, limestone filtered water, perfect seasonal fluctuations, and the passion of distillers. For over two centuries, Kentucky distillers have advanced the excellence of crafting American whiskey, honing the artistry and skill for making distinguished products. 1792 bourbon honors the birthplace of American whiskey, and elevates the legacy on which it was founded to exceptional new heights.

1818
Necktie

During the 30 year war in France, King Louis XIII admired the neck pieced worn by his hired Croatian soldiers as part of their uniform. The King deemed it a “cravat.” In 1818, Neckclothitania was published, detailing 14 ways to tie a cravat, presenting the first known usage of the word “tie” in reference to neckwear. The 1920s ushered in a new era of neckties when a New York tie maker discovered how to cut fabric that allowed the tie to retain its shape after wear. Worn at formal events and elegant affairs, the necktie is an elite style that exudes refinement and class.

1850
The Cocktail

The origin of the cocktail is shrouded in mystery and legend. The first recorded use of an alcohol beverage cocktail appeared in 1838. Many credit the first cocktail to Antoine Peychaud, owner of a New Orleans apothecary, who mixed brandy, sugar, water and his family’s bitters recipe in an eggcup, known then as a “coquetier.” The word became shortened to “cocktay” and finally to “cocktail.” By 1850, the first branded cocktail, called the Sazarac, had become quite popular. Today, cocktails have become an undeniable essential to any respectable soirée.

1884
Skyscraper

The Home Insurance Building of Chicago was the first to be described as a “skyscraper.” Despite standing a mere ten stories high, the building was the first erected with a skeletal steel frame, setting precedence for the imagination and ingenuity of the skyscraper races of the early 1900s. The idea of hundred-story tall buildings seemed laughable at the time. But within decades, skyscrapers designed by imaginative architects and erected by brave and dedicated workers came to epitomize American ambition in the 20th century.

1886
The Tuxedo

No one is sure exactly what spurred Pierre Lorillard IV to commission a formal jacket to be made tailless and black. In his prestigious social circles typical formal wear included a long tailcoat and white tie. His son, Griswold Lorillard, and his friends boldly debuted the tailless black jacket at the Autumn Ball, held in Tuxedo Park. Wearing the outlandish suit was a small act of defiance, but a large fashion statement of the time. Because of their status and social wealth, the style became an instant trend. Men of different social classes emulated the elitist’s fashion and the tuxedo has since evolved into a timeless classic.

1887
Credit Cards

When Edward Bellamy wrote his utopian novel, Looking Backward, in 1887, little did he know that the fantasy credit cards he wrote about would one day become common reality. Charging goods on account had long been a common practice, but in 1949, a man named Frank McNamara invented the first modern credit card. After forgetting his wallet hosting a dinner at New York’s Cabin Grill, he gave the establishment his business card and convinced them to accept his payment later. He then created a cardboard card that could be used to pay for such occasions, and coined it the Diner’s Club card. And thus, the purchasing power of the consumer was catapulted into an entirely new realm.

1901
Cufflinks

Cufflinks first appeared in the 1600’s, when decorative ribbons full of gold, metals, and ornaments were used to tie together the shirtsleeves of royalty and aristocrats. In the 1900’s, George Krementz invented a machine that could mass-produce buttons, making cufflinks common on the wrists of men outside the royal class. In 1962, Sean Connery catapulted the cufflink into stardom when he lit up the silver screen as suave James Bond, always with impeccable suits completed with elegant cufflinks. It is said that a man should never buy his own cufflinks- they should be a gift marking a special occasion.

1902
The Red Carpet

In 1902, during the height of the industrial age, travel by rail was a new and glamorous affair. The New York Central railroad rolled out plush crimson carpets to welcome passengers boarding their premium cars, and the red carpet came to symbolize luxury and prestige. In 1961, The Academy of Motion Pictures adopted the “red carpet treatment” to welcome Oscar nominees to the renowned Academy Awards. This solidified the red carpet as the standard for welcoming guests to an event with grandeur and illustriousness.

1925
Art Deco

Art Deco debuted in 1925 at The Exposition of Modern Industrial and Decorative Art in Paris. Visitors were thrilled by a new and glamorous design characterized by streamlined classicism, geometric and symmetric compositions, balanced with ornamented filigree and robust shapes. This distinctive style came to represent the aspirations, optimism, and new extravagances of the roaring 20s, an era of dramatic social change. It was the age of Jazz, the first automobiles, speakeasies, and the freedom to dance the night away. The 20s were indeed roaring, and Art Deco captured the glamour of it all.

1928
Limousine

The first stretch limousine appeared in 1928 as a practical way to transport big band leaders like Benny Goodman, and their large company of musicians and instruments. When Hollywood began using them regularly as the best way to transport entire film crews, the stretch limo was solidified as the glamorous travel of the famous. By the 60s and 70s, limousines were the vehicles of choice for presidents, celebrities and VIPs. Today, the limousine remains the preferred transportation for arriving in style or a lively evening on the town.

1936
How to Win Friends
and Influence People

The most successful entrepreneurs embrace that confidence, inspiration and action create one’s success. One of the first people to systemize and perpetuate these skills was Dale Carnegie. Born into poverty, Carnegie built his own empire and lived his life teaching others how to do the same. One of the first best-selling self-help books published, Carnegie’s work has sold more than 50 million copies worldwide. Within its pages, aspirational men and women are inspired to accomplish their dreams and succeed in their goals. ‘Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.’ -Dale Carnegie

1953
Mt. Everest Summit

The snow-capped peaks of Mt Everest have tempted the ambitions of man for centuries. Its powerful looming presence represents the epitome of human triumph. In 1953, Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay were the first to reach the top, a true testament to discipline and perseverance. Overcoming the challenges of treacherous terrain, low oxygen, freezing temperatures, potential avalanches and the winds of the jet stream, many have since followed in this magnificent accomplishment, while others have perished in pursuing the dream of standing amidst the skies and clouds at the highest point on earth.

1954
4-minute Mile

For years, running a four-minute mile was considered humanly impossible. Medical journals had conclusively posited that the body was incapable of achieving any better than the longstanding 4:01 minute world record. Unwilling to accept these limitations, Roger Bannister, destroyed that theory when he sprinted to a 3:59.4 mile at a track meet on May 6, 1954. His triumph proved that the boundary of human achievement is limited only by one’s ambition and hard work. His accomplishment has since inspired generations of athletes to continuously break the standards time and again.

1969
Moon Landing

President John F. Kennedy’s 1961 mandate to put a man on the moon fueled the United States and Soviet Union space race, an era of unprecedented competition, exploration and inspiration. The historic implications of the challenge were apparent, but the legacy of the accomplishment remains immeasurable. On July 20, 1969, Neil Armstrong uttered the immortal words, “That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind,” fulfilling the challenge and igniting the imagination of the planet.