Capturing the perfect selfie in a crowded setting has long been a challenge for many. However, the introduction of the selfie stick revolutionized group photography, making it easier than ever to snap the ideal shot. While the selfie stick may seem like …
As the 20th century approached, Native American communities faced mounting challenges to their existence and traditional ways of life. After the Civil War, large numbers of white settlers moved westward, spurred on by the expansion of railroads. This migrat…
Chindogu, the Japanese art of crafting quirky and impractical gadgets, literally translates to 'valuable' or 'priceless tool.' It's a unique cultural phenomenon where creativity meets eccentric problem-solving. These gadgets, though clever, often tread …
During the Victorian era, mothers weren't striving for social media-worthy pictures, but they did put in effort to capture the images they desired. The antiquated cameras of that time necessitated extended exposure times, making it essential for mothers…
Victorian postmortem photography was a somber yet intriguing practice that emerged during the 19th century. This unique form of portraiture involved capturing images of deceased individuals shortly after their passing. Intended to serve as lasting mementos …
In the era before digital photography and the convenience of instant uploads, there existed a charming and innovative solution for getting your precious memories developed – Fotomat. During the 1980s, these drive-through photo processing booths dotted the A…
Abraham Lincoln, widely revered as one of the greatest leaders in American history, left an indelible mark on the nation during his tenure as the 16th President of the United States. Serving as the first president to be extensively photographed, L…
In today's world, taking a photo of a fish you caught might seem like an ordinary occurrence, but it wasn't always that way. Looking back at the early 1900s, when cameras were just becoming more accessible, fishermen took pride in capturing their big catc…
The Bathysphere was a spherical submersible device designed to take humans to the depths of the ocean for the purpose of exploration and scientific research. It was created in the early 20th century by American naturalist William Beebe and engineer Otis Barton…
History is filled with unusual stories, and sometimes we're lucky enough to see them preserved forever in pictures. In this photo collection, you can see around 45 most unique and bizarre photographs in history. Photographs can give us a window into the p…
William Bullard, born in Worcester, Massachusetts, worked as a photographer without a studio, visiting clients around the town with his camera strapped to his bicycle. From 1897 to 1917, Bullard, who was white, took portraits of his predominantly black …
In 1960, photojournalist Ormond Gigli assembled 43 women, dressed them in refined, colorful garb, and situated them in 41 windows across the facade of the classic New York City brownstones. Years later, the image ended up being his most famous artwork. Back…
These pictures taken by John Frank Keith depict working-class Philadelphians, individually, and as groups standing on sidewalks, in front of streetscape, and sitting on stoops. Most of his photographs did not identify the subjects. Despite his day job as …
American photographer Harry Whittier Frees created novelty postcards with his photographs of animals placed in human situations. This photo collection from the 1910s features bizarre but adorable animals dressed and posed as humans with props, often with ca…
These photos, taken by Eugène Atget, document all of the architecture and street scenes of Paris before their disappearance to modernization. Atget took up photography in the late 1880s and supplied studies for painters, architects, and stage designers.…
Bettie Page ( born in 1923) was an American model who gained notoriety in the 1950s for her pin-up photos. Popularly referred to as the Queen of Pinups, she was famous for her free-spirited demeanor and unabashed sensuality. Her trademark short bangs, …
In 1945, Todd Webb was discharged from the U.S. Navy following World War II, and landed in New York. With a keen fascination for the bustling humanity of Manhattan, he took his large-format camera out to the streets, capturing its people and places in all w…
The term Dust Bowl was coined in 1935 when an AP reporter, Robert Geiger, used it to describe the drought-affected south-central United States in the aftermath of horrific dust storms. Historically, the Dust Bowl was a period of severe dust storms that …
Mug shot photography revolutionized crime investigations and enabled the police to keep visual records of the arrested criminals. Beginning in the mid-1800s, police photographed the faces of known criminals. Called "mug shots" (after the British slang w…
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…