The journey of red carpet from ancient times to the modern
You must have seen VIPs and celebrities walking the red carpet on prestigious occasions, thanks to television and social media. All over the world, it is the mainstay of film festivals, gala events and award ceremonies like the Cannes Film Festival and Academy Awards (Oscars) among others. The iconic red carpet has been the symbol of power, prestige, glitz and glamour for centuries. However, the practice of rolling out red carpet, which is believed to have existed even during the ancient times, had a different connotation altogether. Want to know more? Read on.
Red carpet in ancient times
In ancient Greece, red carpet probably used to be reserved for gods only so that they don’t have to touch the ground like mere mortals. The first known reference to red carpet would have us believe so. A red carpet was rolled out for the king (title character) by his wife when he returned victorious from the Trojan war. But Agamemnon was afraid to walk on the crimson path as he was a 'a mortal, a man' not God. "I am a mortal, a man; I cannot trample upon these tinted splendors without fear thrown in my path," he said. What followed after he set foot on the red carpet was a sorry ending.
Renaissance and the red carpet
This period saw red carpets and rugs appearing frequently in paintings of deities, saints, and the nobility. But was there a reason behind this? Well, the answer is yes. According to historians, red carpets were made out of expensive scarlet dyes which could only be afforded by the royalty. However, with the Industrial Revolution in Europe and the US between 1760 and 1840, the red dyes became more affordable.
Red-carpet Treatment: Where did the phrase originate from?
This term, it is believed, originated in the early 20th century. Way back in 1902, a super-fast express passenger train named 20th Century Limited, was launched on New York Central Railroad to carry people from New York to Chicago. This train welcomed its passengers aboard at the Grand Central Station with a red carpet, signalling the lavish treatment they would enjoy on their journey. Interesting, isn’t it?
Though the phrase originated in the 20th century, red carpet become a part of high-profile events involving political luminaries much earlier. It all started with the 5th President of the United States James Monroe. When he arrived at Georgetown, South Carolina in 1821, he was welcomed ashore from a riverboat with a red carpet.
Journey to the Hollywood
Well, the red carpet seems to have quite a fascinating journey right from the ancient times to the modern. But, how did it become a Hollywood staple? The American film industry’s tryst with red carpet began in 1922 at the premier of Robin Hood, a film starring Douglas Fairbanks that took place in the Egyptian Theatre. Sid Grauman, the owner of the theatre, is credited for making red carpet a predominant element in the Hollywood. However, it wasn’t until 1961 that the crimson path made it to the Oscars. It first appeared at the 33rd Academy Awards on 17th April. However, only the attendees could see the red carpet back then. It became visible to TV viewers only at the 38th Academy Awards ceremony in 1966 when it was aired in colour.