How a Jennifer Lopez dress helped lead to the launch of Google Images

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Jennifer LopezImage source, Getty Images

When Jennifer Lopez dressed for the Grammys in 2000, she had no idea she was going to change the course of internet history.

But the attention she got for the plunging green dress she wore was the inspiration behind Google Images.

The internet was clamouring for pictures and it quickly became the most popular search term ever and co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin created a way to satisfy that demand.

The revelation came in a blog by Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt this week.

Jennifer Lopez wearing the green Versace dressImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The iconic Versace dress

That might not be what Geri Halliwell wants to hear.

The former Spice Girl wore the very same dress one month earlier, and while she looked good at the NJR Music Awards in France on the 22 January 2000, she didn't break the internet like J.Lo did.

Jennifer Lopez and Geri Halliwell both wearing the Versace dressImage source, AP/Getty Images
Image caption,

Geri and J.Lo in THE dress

Maybe it was just a case of right time. right place? After all, other iconic outfits also failed to launch a whole branch of the internet.

Here are our top five.

Marilyn Monroe

Starting at the beginning of iconic dresses.

Marilyn Monroe in the white dress she wore in 1955 film The Seven Year Itch.

It's from one of the most famous scenes in the movie and was by costume designer William Travilla.

Marilyn Monroe in The Seven Year ItchImage source, AP
Image caption,

Several celebrities have copied Marilyn's look from the '50s

Madonna

Then there's all of Madonna's pine cone bras. Who could forget.

Here she is performing in her classic gold number.

Madonna in concertImage source, AP
Image caption,

Jean Paul Gaultier designed the 'bullet bra' for Madonna

Cher

Not sure what Cher was doing with this lingerie-headdress combo, but it certainly caused a stir at the Oscars in 1986.

Bob Mackie designed the outfit and used rooster feathers.

Cher at the OscarsImage source, Getty Images
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The headpiece on Cher's ensemble was two feet long

Liz Hurley

Often referred to as "that" dress - another Versace number caused a stir in 1994.

Liz Hurley wore the "safety pin dress" to the premiere of the film Four Weddings and a Funeral and there was a sharp intake of breath.

Liz Hurley at the Four Weddings and a Funeral premierImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

The dress is made from silk and lycra and held together with oversized safety pins

Geri Halliwell

And here you go Geri, you may not have started Google Images, but you made our list.

Possibly the most memorable dress of the decade: Geri wore a flag at the Brit Awards in 1997 and Union Jack merchandise exploded in shops.

Geri Halliwell at the BRIT AwardsImage source, PA
Image caption,

The Union Jack dress has the Guinness World Record for the most expensive piece of pop clothing sold at auction. It went for £41,320

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