US (CA): The history of the Stargazer lily
The pre-runner to Stargazer and most other lilies currently identified as Orientals is Rubrum (L. speciosum var. Rubrum). This was the stock Dr. Woodriff was working with when Stargazer was created.
Rubrum has a very interesting history itself, according to the Ofuna Botanical Garden in Japan:
In the early part of the 20th Century, Rubrum lilies were so prolific in Japan, they grew wild throughout the country. 1925 to 1935 highlighted this golden age for the Japanese lily enthusiasts.
Hirotaka Uchida was one of Japan's most proficient farmers of that time. A large exporter of lily bulbs, Hirotaka's personal pursuit involved the cultivation of exceptional Rubrum lilies. From his fields, he selected out lilies bearing the most beautiful flowers that also showed the greatest resistance to disease. These were transplanted to a special field where he and his eldest son, Machao, watched over them.
When World War II began, many orchards were turned into potato fields. Although flower fields were politically "discouraged", Hirotaka and Masao had such an affection for the special clones they had been cultivating, that while other flowers disappeared from cultivation, their lily efforts continued. They chose 13 of their finest clones, and as they cared for the superior lilies, little by little, their quantities increased.
After the war, the longed for export of lily bulbs finally resumed. In 1949, the Uchidas exported the first 60 bulbs of their crowning achievement: a lightly-fragrant, beautiful rose-crimson, spotted Rubrum which had shown exceptional hardiness.
These bulbs made their way to the United States, and were traded and bred with additional species by lily enthusiasts.
Read more at the Sun Valley blog.