Who knew that a star product launched out of a scientist's home in 1952 would spawn a constellation of top-selling skincare collections worldwide? In honor of the 60th anniversary of Oil of Olay Beauty Fluid, we present Olay's cultural highlights over the years.

During World War II, South African chemist Graham Gordon Wulff formulated a topical skin treatment to prevent dehydration of pilots' burn wounds. Wulff later refined his product for the commercial market. He produced the new version in his home lab with the help of his wife, Dinah.

The product was first called Oil of Ulan, adapted from the key ingredient, lanolin. It was sold door-to-door in South Africa before acquiring a larger market. To increase compatibility with other cultures and languages, the company changed the name for different regions. In the United Kingdom, it became Oil of Ulay, while in the rest of Europe it was Oil of Olaz.

Housed in a heavy glass bottle, the product stood out from the shoe polish tins most thick creams came in.

Imagine a scene on Mad Men before Olay's first American print ad debuted in 1964. The campaign featured a fictitious beauty advisor, who urged readers to “stop winter wrinkles,” claiming “Oil of Olay will give the skin a peaches-and-cream loveliness.” Subsequent ads promoted a cleanser that rinsed away "greaselessly." 

OK, get out the measuring tape. Olay sells 21 million bottles of its Active Hydrating Lotion every year around the world. If you were to lay all the bottles horizontally, they would travel to the moon and back almost three times. Or loop around the world around 4.4 times. Or go from New York to Los Angeles over 52 times!

You know a product has effectively entered the zeitgeist when it makes it to primetime. Olay had a cameo in an episode of The Simpsons when Homer used a product called Oil of Oh Yeah all over his body.

Just like Heinz and Coca-Cola tweak formulas from country to country, depending on local preferences, Olay varies around the world. In China, Olay is pronounced Yu-lan-you, which means oil of orchid flower. To most Chinese consumers, an orchid flower is the symbol of tenderness, pureness and beauty, all considered qualities of a young girl. Olay launched a men's line in China, which includes a firming sunscreen and pearl essence eye pen.

In Brazil, where comsetic surgery rates soar, Olay communicates the brand's lifting and firming results by showing a model with plastic surgeon markings. Hey São Paulo, results with no recovery time! 

Olay's White Radiance line, sold in India, lighten spots and brightens skin. By constrast, Olay Arabia sells two ranges of whitening products: White Radiance and Natural White.

Olay Russia has two collections that you can't find in the United States: Skin Adapt and Skin Comfort.

In celebration of Olay’s 60th anniversary, Olay wants to pay tribute its fans and emphasize that great skin is achievable at any age. This month, Olay is asking women to “shout their age” with pride on Olay’s Facebook page for a chance to win an all-inclusive dream spa weekend!