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4000 million years ago
	Life consists of breast-free self-replicating microorganisms.
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5 million years ago
	Bipedal human ancestors have flat, hairy chests.
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4AD
	During the Northern Wei Dynasty, the young woman, Hua Mulan, binds her breasts and disguises herself to take the place of her father in the army.
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618
	During the Tang Dynasty, women begin donning dresses that expose the upper half of their breasts. The “hezi,” a heavy, elastic cloth wrap is used to accentuate cleavage.
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718-756
	Yang Guifei, revered as “the most beautiful woman” during the Tang Dynasty, is known for her ample breasts and large appetite - she eats 300 lychees a day.
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960-1271
	During the Song Dynasty, a piece of underwear that can be used to cover both the breasts and the stomach, the “moxjong,” becomes widely popular.
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1271-1368
	During the Yuan Dynasty, an undergarment called the “Hehuanjin,” made of thick brocade, is in vogue.
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1368-1644
	In the Ming Dynasty, a jacket-like undergarment called the “Zhuyao,” featuring adjustable laces around the waist, is in fashion.
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1644-1911
	The “ dudou,” or bellyband, is the most popular undergarment.
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1889
	Herminie Cadolle of France invents the first modern brassiere.
A doctor named Gersuny first attempts beast augmentation – using paraffin wax - with disastrous results.
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1895
	Dr. Vincenz Czerny from Germany reconstructs a woman’s breast by removing a large tumor from her side and transplanting to the site of the woman’s mastectomy.
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1900s
	Doctors begin injecting a variety of objects into breasts hoping to enlarge them, including ivory, glass balls, ground rubber and ox cartilage.  
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1920-30s
	During the Qing Dynasty, the “majia” (similar to the western corset) becomes popular in China. Western-style bras also become fashionable.
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1940s
	Japanese prostitutes begin injecting industrial silicone liquid into their breasts with disastrous results.
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1961
	Plastic surgeons Thomas Cronin and Frank Gerow from Houston develop the first silicone implant.
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1969
	The cover girl of local pornography magazine “Vintage Car” has her breasts fully exposed.
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1977
	The breast-shaped Hong Kong Space Museum is completed.
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1986
	Miss Hong Kong Olivia Cheng poses nude for playboy.
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1989
	Doctors in Hong Kong find high levels of organochlorine contaminants (especially gamma HCH) in local breast milk, but urge mothers to keep nursing.
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1990s
	An unprecedented surge of local pornography movies are produced, featuring busty stars Veronica Yip Yuk-hing, Amy Yip Tze-mei, and former Miss Asia, Yvonne Yung-hung.
↓
1992
	Popular actress Chingmy Yau Suk-ching stars with her breasts on prominent display as a sexy assassin in the category III movie, “Naked Killer.”
↓
Mid-90s
	C-list celebrity Diana Pang, blessed with a 36-24-36 physique, suddenly becomes very popular.
As the dieting craze sweeps Hong Kong, popular breast sizes decrease. The most popular singer of this time, Sammi Cheung, was said to wear a mini-30AA bra.
↓
2002
	Popular Asian-American model-actress Maggie Q has her nipple pierced.
↓
December 2005
	An article about Former Chief Secretary Anson Chan’s participation in a democracy march is less popular on Apple Daily Online than news revealing B-list singer Emme Wong’s bra size (34C).
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January 2006
	The poster for Miriam Yeung’s new movie about breast cancer, “2 Becomes 1,” which depicts the naked upper body of a woman, is banned in the MTR.
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April 2006
	Fifty-three people who have PAAG breast-enhancing gel injections in and around Hong Kong develop serious complications; six have their breasts removed.
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May 2006
	Model Gaile Lok Gei-yi, girlfriend of singer Leon Lai, confesses to having breast implant surgery in May 2006. Her bra size jumps from 32A to 34C, and back to 32A when she has the implants removed months later.
↓
August 2006
	Pictures of Twins star Gillian Chung adjusting her bra while changing costumes backstage in Malaysia are run on the cover of EasyFinder, prompting public outcries of rampant obscenity in the media. On November 2, 2006, the government decides to prosecute the magazine for indecency.
↓
Oct 2006
	Hong Kong actress Sandra Ng poses half-nude for a Breast Cancer Research Foundation promotional photograph on the cover of mainland magazine, Trendshealth.
Breasts, breasts, breasts, breast, breasts, are Hong Kongers really that obsessed with 'em humps? Jan Leung and TC Li attempts to find out. Also, some got it and can't wait to flaunt it, others got it only to want them out later on. Is the grass really greener on the other side? Click here for more.


Beauty and the Breast: TimeLine