The first Burlesque Shows were introduced in the 17th century as jokes or mocking performances that were ultimately transformed by well-known culture like opera or Shakespeare and parodied it. They would often use the original music or popular music of the time and re-write the lyrics for comic effect. Venues became known for showing burlesque during this era.

Burlesque gradually transformed into striptease with more and more elaborate costumes. The most notable first sighting was Little Egypt introduced the ‘hootchie-kooch’ at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. The continued moral outrage towards burlesque dancing further increased its attraction.

Credit from Burlexe