History of Pink in Timeline
Pink is a pale tint of red, named after the pink flower and first used as a color name in the late 17th century. It is commonly associated with charm, politeness, sensitivity, tenderness, sweetness, childhood, femininity, and romance. Pink and white together symbolize innocence, while pink and black can represent eroticism and seduction. Despite being a modern symbol of femininity, pink or its lighter variant was once considered a masculine color in the 1920s.
June 1918: Earnshaw's Infants' Department article
In June 1918, an article in Earnshaw's Infants' Department discussed the association of pink with boys.
1931: Creation of Shocking Pink
In 1931, Elsa Schiaparelli created shocking pink, made by mixing magenta with a small amount of white.
1949: Dress Parade at Waldorf-Astoria Hotel
In 1949, a dress parade was held at the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York. The vibrant pink tones in the dresses caught the attention of attendees, leading to the popularization of "Mexican Pink" by fashion critic Perle Mesta.
1953: First Inauguration of Dwight D. Eisenhower
In 1953, Mamie Eisenhower wore a pink dress to her husband's first inauguration, associating pink with women.
1957: Lionel Trains offered for sale a pink model freight train for girls
In 1957, Lionel Trains offered for sale a pink model freight train for girls.
1957: American musical Funny Face
In 1957, the American musical Funny Face cemented the color's association with women.
1973: Death of Elsa Schiaparelli
In 1973, Italian designer Elsa Schiaparelli, pioneer in the creation of shocking pink, died.
2008: Feminist groups and Breast Cancer Awareness Month
As of 2008, feminist groups and the Breast Cancer Awareness Month use the color pink to convey empowerment of women.
