"Halbstarke" describes a vibrant subculture of postwar youth that burst onto the scene in 1950s Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. These teenagers, often from working-class backgrounds, were known for their bold, rebellious behavior, making a statement in a…
These early photographs, taken by Émile Béchard in Cairo, Egypt during the 1870s, present vivid portraits of local figures such as shopkeepers, street merchants, workes, and dancers. Béchard, active in Cairo from 1869 until 1880, focused on capturing Eg…
In the rapidly evolving landscape of education, where traditions and customs are shaped by the ebb and flow of time, the first day of school holds a special place. From the early 1900s to the turn of the millennium, each generation has witnessed the exc…
Amid the chaos and violence of the Vietnam War, American soldiers adorned their helmets with intricate and often striking artwork. These helmet designs served as a means of personal expression, conveying messages of patriotism, camaraderie, and protest.…
Arnold Genthe's photographs of Japan from his six-month visit in 1908 provide a remarkable glimpse into the daily life of the Japanese people during the Meiji period. Unlike many other Western photographers of the time who were interested in capturing exoti…
Photography has come a long way since its inception, and the journey has been marked with some remarkable milestones. From the earliest forms of photographic processes to the revolutionary digital age, photography has been a driving force in the way we …
These early color photographs provide a unique glimpse into the past. With their vivid hues and striking detail, they allow us to experience history in a way that black and white photographs cannot. The history of color photography dates back to the mid…
In August 1896 when three men found gold in a tributary of the Klondike River in Canada's Yukon Territory, they had no idea they would set off one of the greatest gold rushes in history. The idea of striking it rich led over 100,000 people from all walks of…
Freddie Mercury was a British singer and songwriter, who achieved worldwide fame as the lead vocalist of the rock band Queen. Regarded as one of the greatest singers in the history of rock music, he was known for his flamboyant stage persona and four-octave…
The pictures in this collection are some of the earliest known portrait photographs to ever be taken. The subjects in the photos are older and no doubt wealthy, as photography was expensive and only accessible to those in a good financial position. T…
These military portraits collected by Christopher B. Steiner, a professor of art history and anthropology at Connecticut College, capture moments of soldiers being goofy while posing with fake military props. Some images appear to be staged to accentuate si…
In August 1914, explorer Ernest Shackleton boarded the Endurance and set sail for Antarctica, where he planned to cross the last uncharted continent on foot. The expedition was an attempt to make the first land crossing of the Antarctic continent. After…
During the early years of World War II, various initiatives were undertaken by the US government in order to increase the public’s support for the American war effort. In 1942, photographer Jack Delano was tasked with capturing a young American man, George …
This collection of hand-tinted lantern slides depicts popular tourist destinations in Norway around the turn of the 19th century. The collection consists of slides produced by at least two British photographers – professional photographer Samuel J. Beck…
These photographs were taken in 1940 by John Topham while he was visiting the base of the Royal Artillery Coastal Defence Battery at Shornemead Fort, near Gravesend, in Kent. The intention had been to photograph the British troops rehearsing in drag for the…
The Durbar of 1903 was held in Delhi to celebrate the succession of the British monarch King Edward VII (the great-grandfather of the current British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II) as the Emperor of India. The Delhi Durbar was organized by Lord Curzon, In…
These beautiful, romantic old postcards show Scotland from a time long gone. Originally published by the Detroit Publishing Company, they were created by image-makers fascinated by Scotland's castles and sweeping landscapes and much of the collection gives…
Many Americans first encountered the phrase “the American Way” on huge billboards that by 1938 had sprouted in hundreds of U.S. cities and towns. Shopping for groceries, heading to work, or entering an empty stretch of highway, they were suddenly confro…
On one side towered a 7ft 3in (2.21m) German man-mountain who quit his job with an American freak show to join the Wehrmacht. On the other stood a 5ft 7in (170 cm) AP photographer Eddie Worth. Jakob Nacken stood quietly while the British troops frisked …
TIME magazine decided to create a list of the 100 most influential pictures ever taken. They teamed up with curators, historians, photo editors, and famous photographers around the world for this task. "No formula makes for iconic photos," the editors said. …