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A century ago, in a small apartment in Paris, French chemist Eugène Schueller started a company called "La Société Française des Teintures Inoffensives Pour Cheveux," which translated means "The Safe Hair-Dye Company of France." With a dining room that doubled as a demonstration area and a kitchen as a laboratory, the chemist, inventor and marketing wiz for his time sought to establish that beauty must be based on science. He never saw the risks but rather the possibilities, and his determination paid off. In 1939, the company was named L'Oréal.
Over the next 100 years, L'Oréal's commitment to science and innovation laid a solid foundation for growth worldwide. Today, the beauty giant has more than 20 global brands, a presence in more than 130 countries and recorded 17.5 billion euros (U.S. $24.5 billion) in consolidated sales in 2008.
"Our rigorous approach to quality and innovation through [research and development] will continue to be a driving force for L'Oréal in making beauty accessible to women and men worldwide," the company stated. "The ability to address different cultures and their specific needs has helped broaden the concept of beauty and made the company what it is today."
To celebrate its 100th anniversary, L'Oréal not only celebrated the men and women who have made the company a success but also supported a number of socially responsible projects aimed at helping those less fortunate in more than 60 countries, according to the company.
For example, in the United States, 17 L'Oréal facilities celebrated the anniversary with a morning of volunteer projects, followed by a celebration for...