Incredible Historical Photos
As the years go by, we often forget to look back at everything humans have gone through. We’re fortunate enough that cameras were invented so we can look back at all the memories. Looking back at photos from the past can be a bit like traveling back in time. Certain photos have the power to reel you in and give you a new perspective on the present. These historical photos may be in black and white, but they still give us a glimpse into the past.
The more time passes, the further away these moments seem, but hopefully, these photos can make them last for eternity.
The First Known Female Tattoo Artist
Tattoos are a form of body art that has been around for quite some time. It might surprise you to discover that the first recorded tattoo was around 3100 BC. However, the tradition of inking our skin has become more mainstream than it ever was. Maud Stevens Wagner, the tattoo artist in the photo, was known for her hand-poke tattoos. This method of tattooing doesn’t use a machine, but only a steady hand and a needle.
Besides her tattoo skills, she also worked as a contortionist at a circus and traveled across the United States performing. This photo from 1907 makes you think about just how the past isn’t as different as we think. If this photo was taken in modern times, she wouldn’t look out of place.
Promotional Photo for Women’s Bathing Suit
The woman pictured here is Annette Kellerman. Don’t let her smile fool you, because this photo took a lot of courage. In 1907, women were expected to dress modestly, and showing this amount of skin was unacceptable. Kellerman posing for this photo was a rebellious act, and it landed her in jail. We’ve come a long way since then.
Women are no longer subjected to rigid standards in most countries, and are free to wear whatever they please when they are swimming. Knowing Kellerman was arrested for wearing this makes you grasp just how different the early 1900s were for women. We’re glad women like her were brave enough to stand up for what’s right.
Behind the Scenes of “The French Chef”
This is what it took to film The French Chef in 1963. The cooking show required a lot more effort than expected. This was one of the first cooking programs, they probably wanted to make sure it was perfect. The woman standing in the photo is Julia Child, who specialized in French cuisine. She introduced the French culinary world to Americans and aimed to make it seem less intimidating.
She also starred in other culinary shows like Cooking with Master Chefs, Baking with Julia, and Julia & Jacques Cooking at Home. The kitchen in all of those series was her own, and it is now featured in the Natural History Museum of American History in Washington D.C.
Painting of the Paramount Pictures Logo
This production company’s logo is pretty recognizable today. Many of our favorite films start off by showing this image before the opening credits. The original logo was created in 1914 when the company started, but they adapted a new one in 1965. Jan Domela, the painter in the photo, was the chief painter at Paramount. He’s the artist behind the photo we all know today.
This painting has been digitized and changed throughout the years, but the general design still remains. We’re sure that Domela would be honored to know that even today his painting is used as an inspiration for the company logo. The details in the photo only get clearer with every new version.
Stoney First Nation Guide and His Family
This photo is of Samson Beaver, his daughter, and his wife. It was photographed by Mary Schäffer, a Canadian naturalist. Samson Beaver was a guide who explored the mountains of Canada. A location in Maligne Lake Valley was named after him by Schäffer, who admired his work as an explorer. This photo is famous for being printed on postcards, and it is featured in academic literature.
When looking at this photo, you can’t help but feel a sense of peace and serenity. It also makes you think about how even over 100 years ago, people were still similar. They sat and posed for photos just like we do. This could easily have been a holiday card photo!
Chess Game Between Vladimir Lenin and Alexander Bogdanov
Vladmir Lenin, Alexander Bogdanov, and Maxim Gorky are featured in this photo. Lenin was a politician and political theorist in what used to be the Soviet Union. Bogdanov was a physician, philosopher, and writer who was Lenin’s rival. They had opposing political views, yet were still civil enough to sit down for a game of chess. Gorky was just a bystander during the game.
He was a writer and political activist as well and probably enjoyed watching these two battle it out. These three agreed at some point, as they were all part of the Bolsheviks, a far-left political party. It’s eerie to see three political activists sitting down for a casual game.
Weapons Found in Bonnie and Clyde’s Car
The famous couple Bonnie and Clyde were known in the 1930s for their criminal activities. You might be familiar with their story from the famous 1967 film named after the couple. They spent years robbing stores and killing people along the way. This was during the Great Depression, and the police at the time were desperate to find them and put an end to their criminal activity.
The couple committed plenty of crimes, yet the media glamorized them and romanticized their story. This photo was taken after the two died in a shootout with the police. This arsenal of weapons was found in their car. Although they requested to be buried together, their graves are miles apart.
Sir David Attenborough Showing Cockatoo to Young Royalty
The two children in this photo are Prince Charles and Princess Anne. David Attenborough is showing his bird to the two children, which isn’t out of character for him. Attenborough is famously fascinated with the world and all the living beings in it. His dedication to educating people on the wonders of the earth continues even today.
You can find him exploring and learning more about the world in his 9-part documentary series Life Collection. Today, Attenborough is vocal about his concerns about climate change, and the effects we have on the planet. He wishes for people to change their everyday habits so that we can continue to enjoy the wonders of this earth.
Turks Smoking Hookah in 1885
You might be familiar with modern Hookah bars today, but this is the 1800s version. This photo was taken during the rule of The Ottoman Empire, in modern-day Turkey. The empire ruled from 1299 and fell in 1922 after the first world war. From the looks of this photo, the Turkish people took the time to relax at their local café.
We often forget that the people who lived during different times were regular people like us. History books sometimes skew our perception of what life was like during certain periods, but photographs like this set things straight. It’s always nice to see the humanity in people through photos.
Baseball Player Joe DiMaggio Eating His Mom’s Spaghetti
Joe DiMaggio was a famous athlete of Italian descent, known for being one of the best baseball players of all time. Throughout his career, he played solely for the New York Yankees. This photo of him eating spaghetti makes him seem like just another ordinary guy. His career as a baseball player started when he was 20 years old, just around when this photo was taken.
After taking this heartwarming photo, he would go on to be a renowned athlete. He had a 56-game hitting streak and won nine world series titles. He still holds the record for most hitting streaks in history. Dimaggio was also known for his marriage to actor, singer, and model Marilyn Monroe.
A Young Freddie Mercury with His Mom
Freddie Mercury, the iconic singer, and songwriter was, and still is, a huge name in music. He was the lead singer of the rock band Queen, who are responsible for popular songs like Bohemian Rhapsody, We Will Rock You, Another One Bites The Dust, and Somebody to Love amongst many others. Mercury’s last name was actually Bulsara, and he was born in Zanzibar. Tanzania.
His family fled to England in 1964. Mercury’s success came from his ability to put on a performance and his incredible singing range. His vocal abilities still fascinate people today. He was even inducted into the rock and roll Hall of Fame after he died.
Winston Churchill During an Inspection
You might recognize this photo of Churchill from propaganda posters, but the original was actually not intended for that purpose. Although Churchill looks menacing, he was only testing out the gun. Churchill was the prime minister of the UK during the second world war. He was one of the leaders who helped defeat nazi Germany. His famous speech in 1940, where he urged fighting back against the nazis, is one of the most notable speeches of all time.
He looks a bit like a mobster in this photo, sort of like Al Capone. Though that couldn’t be further from the truth. Today there are mixed views about him, but he still remains a central figure in British history.
Bill Clinton and John F. Kennedy Shaking Hands in 1963
In this photo, Clinton doesn’t even know that he’ll one day become president. He’s looking at Kennedy with admiration, and you can see how much he valued that moment. Fast forward 30 years and he was the one shaking hands with others. Just months after this encounter, Kennedy was assassinated. Meeting the president must’ve given Clinton the drive and inspiration to follow in his footsteps.
From the back, Kennedy looks a little like an older Bill Clinton! It’s as if Clinton was shaking hands with his future self. It would’ve been great if Kennedy could have lived to see his young 16-year-old admirer become the 42nd President of the United States.
Harry S. Truman During World War I
Before Truman was the 33rd President of the United States, he was a captain in WWI. Truman served in France and oversaw many soldiers during the war. His troop did not lose any men and he was rewarded when he returned to the U.S. In 1945 he became president by default when Franklin D. Roosevelt, the president at the time, died of a cerebral hemorrhage.
Truman served two full terms. He was known for his controversial decision to drop atomic bombs on Japan in WWII and for the Truman Doctrine, which provided Greece and Turkey with financial aid during the Cold War. It goes without saying that he left behind quite a legacy.
Eiffel Tower Being Built in 1888
If you’ve been to Paris, you know that its biggest attraction is the Eiffel Tower. Today it stands at 1,063 feet tall and can be seen shimmering with lights at night. The tower was named after Gustave Eiffel, who was the engineer in charge of building it. When the plan and architectural sketch of the structure were broadcasted, many people didn’t believe it was possible.
A structure this tall had never been built before. So many people were skeptical. Once it was built, the skeptics became admirers, and now the tower is one of France’s most symbolic features as well as its tallest structure. The three-leveled tower is famous worldwide, and many dream of dining at one of its high-class restaurants.
Stanley Kubrick and His Daughter on the Set of “The Shining”
Stanley Kubrick might’ve been a harsh director for The Shining, but at this moment he decided to take a break and snap a photo with his daughter. The blurry figure in the photo’s forefront is Jack Nicholson, who was under the impression that he was the subject of the photo being taken. If you’ve seen the movie The Shining, then this friendly-looking version of Nicholson seems almost unreal.
This photo serves as a reminder that behind the actors and screenwriters of a horror film are regular people like the rest of us. Kubrick was also known for being a perfectionist, and many found him hard to work with him because of it, but in this picture he’s nothing but a proud father!
Gay Wedding Photo from 1920
This photo is of a lesbian couple from Hungary. At the time, a relationship between two men was illegal, but nothing in legislation talked about women. People held the notion that women did not engage in such acts and deliberately avoided speaking about the matter. Being gay was decriminalized only in 1961 in Hungary, so these women were probably some of the few who were brave enough to marry.
Their choice of fashion is nothing we’ve seen before. They challenged gender norms before it was acceptable. We wonder if they would choose to wear these half dress half suit outfits if they got married today.
George Carlin Being Arrested for Obscenity in Wisconsin in 1972
The man being arrested in the photo is George Carlin. He was a famous comic that loved to test boundaries. His dark approach to comedy wasn’t always accepted, and it led him to be arrested after one of his shows. The reason for his arrest sparked debate about whether the government had the authority to censor people. The judge, in the case, decided that the obscene words used in the performance didn’t cause any harm, and he was let go.
Carlin often criticized American culture, and he was the first-ever host of Saturday Night Live, the famous New York sketch comedy show. Aside from his stand-up, he’s acted in films such as Outrageous Fortune, Dogma, and The Prince of Tides.
Princess Diana with an AIDS Patient in 1991
In the early 90s, the AIDS epidemic was at its peak. Millions of Americans who contracted the virus were subject to judgment and ridicule by the public because of the spread of misinformation. During that time, many people were afraid to touch AIDS patients, although the disease wasn’t transmittable that way. The fact that Princess Diana shook hands with an AIDs patient was one way she helped debunk the many myths that surrounded the disease.
She was passionate about helping people with life-threatening illnesses and wasn’t afraid to visit them and lift their spirits. She even met with Nelson Mandela and helped start the Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund, which helped many people fight diseases in South Africa.
Poster Celebrating the Death of Soviet Union Dictator Stalin
Joseph Stalin was a widely despised political figure during his time. During his rule, millions of citizens in the Soviet Union were killed and many lower-class families starved and died of famine. Stalin believed in communism, and the term “Stalinism” was coined to describe the type of regime that he wished to rule. Many speak of him in the same manner in which they speak of Hitler.
Both were ruthless dictators and their deaths were not met with any sadness. This photo of a Ukrainian-American represents the relief people felt once this dictator was no longer in power. After Stalin’s death, the Soviet Union went through social reform.
Mobsters at Al Capone’s Trial in 1931
Alphonse Gabriel Capone, the notorious criminal, and gangster, was arrested in 1929 for tax evasion of all things. At the trial, Capone was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison. He only served 7 years, 6 of which were at Alcatraz, a federal penitentiary that harbored the worst types of criminals. Eight years after his release, Capone died of a stroke.
He was known by the nickname “Scarface” and was a violent criminal that got away with his crimes for many years. Seeing all the mobsters at his trial covering their faces only further proves how far and deep Capone’s criminal empire spread.
Photographer of Famous Rockefeller Building Picture
When the Rockefeller Center was being built in 1931, this photographer took a photo of a group of construction workers having lunch atop the unfinished building. Many of us have seen that photo, but not the man behind the scenes. The photo was taken on the 69th floor and features 11 men sitting and chatting while up in the air.
The photographer is Charles C. Ebbets, and by the looks of this photo, he was fearless. He worked as the photographic director for the Rockefeller Center and he was hired to do this shoot. It was meant to be a promotional photo for the new building. We wonder who took this photo of him!
Prohibition Protest in the 1920s
The United States had a prohibition of alcoholic beverages in the 1920s. The prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933, but that didn’t stop people from drinking and selling alcohol. As you can see from the photo, plenty of people were outraged by the government’s new law and weren’t afraid to voice their opinions. The prohibition laws were put into place to stop violence, increase productivity, and reduce illness.
It proved effective in lowering the cases of liver dysfunction and infant mortality, but people were still opposed to it. The repeal of prohibition was because of the economic crisis and the decline of the agriculture business. Today there are still some places, like Native American reservations, that forbid the sale of alcohol.
Jazz Musician Big Jay McNeely in Los Angeles 1951
The 50s introduced us to the art of jazz music. Big Jay McNeely was a saxophone player known for “honking” which was a style of playing the instrument. He rose to fame in the 50s and 60s but eventually quit to work as a postman. When jazz music made a comeback in the 80s, he returned to performing in countries like Germany and Italy.
His enthusiasm for playing was evident, and people admired him for his theatrical style. Even without being there, you could feel the energy of the crowd through this photo. The expression on their faces tells us all we need to know.
Celebration in New York After the First World War
After the win of the allied forces in 1918, people thought that this was going to be the last war. It was named “the war to end all wars” but as we know today, that wasn’t the case. The win for the allies was only temporary, in 1939 World War II began. We can understand why so many people went out to the streets to celebrate after the war ended.
They had just endured a 4-year period of hardship and lost millions of people along the way. This image reminds us of how Times Square looks during New Year’s Eve every year. New Yorkers will always find an excuse to go out into the streets in enormous crowds to celebrate.
Albert Einstein and Charlie Chaplin in 1931
It’s hard to recognize Charlie Chaplin without his hat and mustache! Chaplin was one of the most revered actors in the film industry. He was the actor, producer, composer, and writer of all of his films. Some of his controversial films were less accepted by the public, and he was eventually forced to move from the U.S to Switzerland in 1953. Before then, he met up with the notorious and genius Albert Einstein on the set of the film City Lights.
Einstein was famous for discovering the theory of relativity and plenty of other scientific feats. He wasn’t only a genius, but a civil rights activist and justice seeker who stopped at nothing to ensure equality amongst all.
Testing Gravity on a Cat in 1958
Many experiments and tests were needed for man to finally go to outer space. One of those tests involved our furry feline friends. To test what happens at zero-gravity, they chose cats because of their ability to rotate mid-air. Cats are one species of animal that, if dropped upside down, will always land on their feet. The test gave astronauts insight into how to function and move around in outer space.
The cats might’ve not known it at the time, but they were a big part of the research that helped astronauts find techniques for maneuvering around in zero-gravity space. Other animals used in space research are chimpanzees, lizards, fish, and even ants.
Betty White on Set in 1949
Betty White’s impressive career started on radio and eventually transitioned to the big screen. At first, her value as an actress wasn’t recognized, but her role in Girl Friday, a show by Al Jarvis helped her rise to fame, and won her an Emmy! White was known for being one of the first women of her time to have creative authority over her work.
She set the standard for women working in the entertainment industry. She’s most known for playing Rose on Golden Girls and was praised for her comedic chops. No doubt this role launched her into icon status. Despite her age, she had fans of all ages. Her sense of humor and charisma will be remembered for generations to come.
Girls on an Iranian Beach in 1979 Before the Revolution
The Iranian revolution has a significant impact on the women of Iran. Before the revolution, some women wore modern clothing and were also encouraged to study at universities. After the revolution, there was a government mandate that forbade women from showing their hair in public, which meant they had to wear a headscarf, also known as a hijab.
They were also required to dress modestly and were given a public dress code. Many women opposed the new rules that came from the revolution and some fled the country to pursue a different life. This photo shows the stark difference between life before and after the revolution.
JFK Campaigning During the 1960 Election
The 1960s weren’t too long ago, and yet they were such different times. Today, presidential candidates are less likely to visit people in their homes to campaign for an election. In the age of social media, it has become even easier for people to spread their message across a large audience from the comfort of their homes.
Seeing former president JFK stand humbly in front of a family’s home in West Virginia is a testament to how much he cared for the people he was running for. His dedication and drive to become president didn’t change his human-centered approach to politics. It ultimately benefited him, as he became the 35th president in 1961.