Welcome to the History Tricks, where any resemblance to a boring old history lesson is purely coincidental.

And here's your 30-second summary.

She reinvented women's clothing several times.

She reinvented designer perfume.

She reinvented handbags and accessories.

And along the way, she reinvented herself too.

The End.

Let's talk about Coco Chanel.

But first, let's drop her into history.

In 1883, the first electric lighting system using overhead wires began service in New Jersey.

The magazine, Ladies Home Journal, and the book Treasure Island were both first published.

The Amsterdam World's Fair and the first US Vodvill Theatre both opened.

The Orient Express made its first official trip from Paris to Istanbul.

And Zara Alexander III was crowned in Moscow.

The first machine to manufacture entire shoes was invented.

Franz Kafka, Ruben Goldberg, and Benito Mussolini were all born.

Lydia Pinkham and sojourner Truth both died.

And on August 19th, 1883, Gabrielle Chanel was born and the fashion world had no idea what changes were ahead.

Gabrielle Jean Chanel was born on August 19th, 1883, the second of the six children of Albert Chanel.

And Eugenie Jean DeVole.

She was born in a charity hospital in the town of Sao Mour.

Some were about 200 miles southwest of Paris.

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