Lancome was founded in 1935 by Armand Petitjean (b. 1889, France) when, during a rural retreat, he visited the remains of an old castle, Le Chateau de Lancosme, and noticed the myriad of roses surrounding it. These roses inspired him to use the golden rose that we know today as the symbol for the company. That same year he introduced five fragrances at the World's Fair in Brussels and by the 1950s, his products were selling in the United States.