100 years ago, the idea for Titanic was born

It was at a dinner party 100 years ago that the idea of building Titanic was born. It was at a dinner party at Downshire House (pictured) in Belgravia, London that shipping magnate Lord Pirrie and White Star Line President J. Bruce Ismay discussed creating three massive steamers that would dwarf rival Cunard's Lusitania and Mauretania.

That night, the men agreed to build three steamers, each four-funneled, that would compete for the lucrative North Atlantic passenger route. From this discussion Olympic, Titanic and Britannic would come to life.

2007 will mark another Titanic milestone - the 95th anniversary of her maiden voyage and disastrous sinking.