History Today: When the world woke up and smelled Chanel No. 5

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05-05-2025

One of the most luxurious perfumes Chanel No. 5 made its entry into the world of fragrances on May 5 , 1921. The perfume was very different from the predominantly floral or musky perfumes of the time, which contributed to its immense popularity. On this day in 1951, Alan B Shepard Jr became the first American to visit space during a 15-minute suborbital flight read more
Chanel No. 5 perfume hit the markets on May 5, 1921. File image/Reuters
Who does not want to own Chanel No. 5 perfume? Considered to be one of the most luxurious and expensive fragrances in the world, this perfume made an entry into the world of fragrance on May 5, 1921, and went on to change the world of perfumes forever.
If you are a history geek who loves to learn about important events from the past, Firstpost Explainers' ongoing series, History Today will be your one-stop destination to explore key events.
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On this day in 1961, Alan B Shepard Jr etched his name into history by becoming the first American to travel into space.
Here is all that happened on this day across the world.
Chanel No. 5 makes its debut
Most of us dream of owning a wide range of luxurious perfumes. One of these luxurious perfumes is Chanel No. 5. Designed by legendary French fashion designer Gabrielle 'Coco' Chanel, the perfume made its debut on May 5, 1921. It was launched with the idea that it was more than a scent and went on to become a symbol of modern femininity, luxury and timeless style.
In an era dominated by predominantly floral or musky perfumes, Gabrielle Chanel desired to formulate an entirely original scent that would represent the contemporary woman - one wjo was assertive, refined and liberated. She engaged Russian-born French perfumer Ernest Beaux, who presented her with a selection of samples. Her choice of the fifth composition, based on her belief in the inherent meaning and understated quality of the number. Consequently, Chanel No. 5 was introduced.
The result of the mixture of scents was one that didn't mimic nature but redefined it. File image/AFP
This perfume was one of the first fragrances to use synthetic aldehydes, which added a sparkling, abstract quality to the floral base of jasmine, rose, ylang-ylang and sandalwood. The result was a scent that didn't mimic nature but redefined it.
Another of the attractive features was the minimalist bottle design was also groundbreaking. In contrast to the ornate perfume bottles of the era, Chanel opted for a sleek and square-cut glass bottle with a simple label that embodied her philosophy of understated elegance.
Alan B Shepard Jr becomes America's first space traveller
One of the first Americans to visit space was Alan B Shepherd Junior on May 5, 1961. His brief, 15-minute suborbital flight aboard the Freedom 7 spacecraft, a key component of NASA's Project Mercury, represented a significant milestone in the United States' efforts in the space race during the Cold War era.
Launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, Shepard's compact, single-occupant spacecraft, named Freedom 7, was positioned atop a Redstone rocket. Precisely at 9:34 am Eastern Time, the rocket ascended with tremendous force, propelling Shepard to an altitude of 116 miles and achieving velocities exceeding 5,000 miles per hour.
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Astronaut Alan Shepard Jr. rests in his capsule awaiting his trip into space from Cape Canaveral, Florida on May 5, 1961. File image/AP
Despite its brief duration, the mission was revolutionary. Shepard experienced a state of weightlessness, executed a series of basic tests, and provided real-time verbal commentary throughout the flight. The entire journey lasted a mere 15 minutes and 22 seconds, culminating in a safe splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean, where he was subsequently recovered by personnel from the USS Lake Champlain.
Alan Shepard later commanded Apollo 14 in 1971, becoming the fifth man to walk on the Moon, and the only Mercury astronaut to achieve that feat.
This Day, That Year
On this day in 1927, English author Virginia Woolf published To the Lighthouse.
Mary Kries became the first woman to receive a US patent on this day in 1809.