The three colors of Mardi Gras first apeared in 1972 on a Krewe of Rex carnival flag that had been especially designed for the visit of the Grand Duke of Russia. The colors quickly became universal. They consist of a king, queen, maids, and dukes.
Maids are usually college co-eds and dukes usually are men in the business community.
The first official Kreww to conduct a parade was the Mystic Krewe of Comus. The first parade was in 1851. During the 1920s, pretty glass and ceramic beads were used, but by the 60s, plastic beads came on to the scene. Necklaces of beads have become very heavy and ornate. People no longer wanted the cheap little beads that used to be coveted.