Sir David Attenborough turned 100 years old earlier this month – but what else is set to hit the all-important centenary?
Had they lived to today, both Queen Elizabeth II and Marilyn Monroe would have joined Attenborough in their 3-digit status.
These two rather different women met once in October 1956 in Leicester Square. People Magazine reported the Queen was quite captured by the meeting and followed it by watching all of Monroe’s films.
Moving away from people, 1926 saw a few brands and items come out that we still see and use today.
The iconic K2 red telephone boxes became centurions after first been introduced to the streets in 1926. There are said to be about 224 of these kiosks left.
The University of Reading achieved University status in 1926 and have had various events this year to celebrate their centenary, writing proudly: “The University’s hundred-year history espouses our strong ethical values and principles, change-making research and inclusive community-building.”
Looking outside of the UK then, the National Broadcasting Company, better known as NBC, was first founded 100 years ago.
It began as a radio station before television joined in 1939, with the company now a titan of American broadcasting.
According to US Television Database it is still the most popular channel on TV in the US with over 5 million people watching it on 6th May.
Mercedez-Benz is being recognised at Goodwood this year as they see in their centenary year after the German automotive brand was first established in June 1926.
Perhaps a stretch, but the Terry’s Dessert Chocolate Apple was first in 1926 and, whilst not available for purchase anymore, it was arguably the older sibling to the Terry’s Chocolate Orange that joined shelves in 1932 and remain there to this day.
And finally, Stella Artois beer was first brewed in 1926 in Belgium.
Whilst it does say 1366 on some of their glass bottles, it was only registered and launched formally in 1926 and brewed as the beer we know today.
As stated on their UK site under the year 1926: “In January, the ‘Stella Artois’ name is registered for trademark. The beer is introduced later that year as a Christmas beer, with ‘Stella’ being named after the Christmas star.”
We all know how well they are still doing, with a likely hugely successful centenary year as a sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Featured Image Credit: Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website – www.dfat.gov.au, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
