HISTORICAL CONTEXT
The historical background of my fire project issue begins in the 20th century. The importance has risen from Western society. Mainly focusing on physical beauty, particularly of women. Cosmetics as well as fashion fed off the 20th century preoccupation dealing with ones physical appearance, as well as surgery industries. “Plato, one of the earliest philosophers to concern himself with beauty, defined it as a “property intrinsic in objects” which could be measured in “purity, integrity, harmony and perfection.” (Wood, Louise. "Perceptions Of Female Beauty In The 20th Century.") For the first twenty years of the 20th century, many of the views of beauty were influenced by the 19th century. In Victorian society, it was considered a woman’s duty to make herself beautiful in one’s eye. In the 20th century, this helped to develop a presentation of one’s self. However, some of the most un-thought of “beauty-aids” of the Victorian age remain marketed through the 1920’s. “A particularly unpleasant example is “M.Trielty's Nose Shaper”, described as a “metal object ... held over the nose by straps buckled round the head and adjusted with screws.” (Wood, Louise. "Perceptions Of Female Beauty In The 20th Century.") The one thing that sets the 20th century apart from the 19h century is the physical effect of cosmetics. In the last century beauty cosmetics were looked down upon. They were considered the mark of a prostitute. With the use of makeup in the theater, the cosmetic industry grew. My topic influenced the economy back then and still has a lasting effect today. For example the 20th century obsession with celebrities is something used to effectively in advertising. This makes the consumer think the qualities associated with the individual will possibly have the same effect on them. Another huge influence come from the overwhelming growth of the film industry. This has made the modern female, that could possibly been over looked “shine”. Beauty was an essential attribute for a working class woman to become successful in Hollywood. (Wood, Louise. "Perceptions Of Female Beauty In The 20th Century.")