See THE AGE OF ADALINE, starring Blake Lively

After miraculously remaining 29 years old for almost eight decades, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively) has lived a solitary existence, never allowing herself to get close to anyone who might reveal her secret. But a chance encounter with charismatic philanthropist Ellis Jones (Michiel Huisman) reignites her passion for life and romance. When a weekend with his parents (Harrison Ford and Kathy Baker) threatens to uncover the truth, Adaline makes a decision that will change her life forever.

See it now playing in theatres.

Born in 1908, Adaline Bowman (Blake Lively), lived a normal life until a mysterious car crash in the 1930s left her ageless. The world changes a lot in most people’s lifetimes, but Adaline witnessed more cultural movements, conflict and great scientific discoveries than most. Take a journey through the stories that made up her life:

1930-1950

Pluto is discovered, the atom is split, Polaroid camera invented, a cheeseburger comes off the grill, Volkswagen’s Beetle, World War II breaks out, the T-shirt is introduced, United Nations founded, bikinis on the beach, Big Bang Theory formulated, and China becomes communist.

As war rages on, clothing becomes more functional and military-inspired. Popular ready-to-wear fashion and troops’ uniforms are produced on the same equipment.

1950-1970

The first organ is transplanted, TV is in colour, DNA discovered, Playboy magazine hits the stands, segregation ruled illegal in US, Disneyland opens, James Dean dies, NASA founded and the peace symbol created, birth control approved, Walmart and McDonald’s open, first man on the moon, “I Have a Dream” speech delivered, troops sent to Vietnam, and Woodstock happens.

Women dress femininely and frivolously in a post-war style called the “New Look.” Teenagers become a force in fashion, leading the charge through the sixties – a colourful decade with mods and rockers, hippies, the understated Jackie Kennedy, and supermodels like Twiggy.

1970-1990

The Beatles break up, VCRs introduced, Watergate Scandal begins, Microsoft is founded, SNL premiers, Elvis is found dead, Sony drops the Walkman, Lennon is assassinated, first woman appointed to US Supreme Court, Michael Jackson releases “Thriller”, hole in ozone layer discovered, “Black Monday” happens on the stock exchange, the Berlin Wall falls, and the World Wide Web is invented.

Travel becomes easier and fashion finds global inspirations. Disco gives us polyester. Later, punk is born, and along with it the anti-fashion movement.

1990-2010

Nelson Mandela is freed, Milli Vanilli lip-synching scandal, the Soviet Union collapses, eBay is founded, two royal couples divorce, scientists clone sheep, President Clinton is impeached, Viagra hits the market, Human Genome is mapped, world avoids dreaded Y2K bug, dot-com bubble bursts, world reacts to tragic 9/11 attack, Facebook is launched, Hurricane Katrina strikes, Apple debuts iPhone, oil prices hit a record high, Barack Obama sworn as 44^th US President, and water is discovered on the moon.

The workplace becomes more casual and fashion turns laidback and comfortable. A minimalist aesthetic supplants the gaudy excess of the eighties. The grunge subculture is characterized by a messy, unkempt look. Marrying the past and present, vintage-inspired looks with a futuristic twist take over the 21^st century.