13 Strange Photos From The Past That Will Forever Change Your Perspective On History
With the rise of cell phones, taking a photograph has never been simpler, and many of us often don't think twice before whipping out our phones to take a picture. But in previous decades and centuries, picture-taking was not nearly as simple.
The following pictures are proof that in every historical photo or artifact, there is a fascinating and emotional story just waiting to be told.
Cycling In The City
These two women stop to pose for a picture in a New York City park during a beautiful day in 1900. We can't imagine bike riding was easy with floor-length skirts and floppy hats.
Although a fake medical condition known as "bike face" was created to scare women away from hopping on bicycles. According to Vox, these bicycle-riding women were told they risked a "hard, clenched jaw and bulging eyes" if they continued to ride.
The Office Beverage Dispenser
It's time to throw your office water dispenser out the window and swap it out for this new beverage dispenser!
This woman here is seen pouring herself a drink, but the dispenser doesn't contain water—it's full of whisky (white wine would also be acceptable). Seriously though, did people actually get any work done back in the 1950s?
A Truckful Of Irony
"Man experiences irony, 1966."
Carrying a pickup truck full of spare tires, this driver, unfortunately, found himself waiting at the side of the road for help after one of the tires on his truck got damaged and couldn't drive any further. "Oh truck my life," is totally what this guy would've said.
The Tallest Man On Earth
No, that's not a father posing with his small children, that's actually Robert Wadlow posing alongside his siblings in 1936.
The Illinois-born Wadlow was the tallest man in recorded history, measuring a staggering 8 feet and 11 inches tall.
The Ship Of Dreams
If you stop and ask yourself to think of the most famous ship in the world, you'd probably immediately think of the R.M.S. Titanic.
In this photo from 1912, a man is seen exercising in the ship's gymnasium during its maiden and fateful voyage across the North Atlantic. The pinnacle of luxury, Titanic also featured a swimming pool, luxurious staterooms for first-class passengers, and a grand staircase.
A Trip To Ancient Rome
Now we're going to go a little bit further into the past. Here is a stunning necklace crafted with yellow gold and precious gemstones that dates back to the Roman Empire.
You know the saying, "Things aren't made like they used to be"? Well, that could absolutely apply here, because this glittering gold necklace is nearly an astonishing 2,000 years old.
We've All Been There Before
Celebrating with giant glasses of never-ending beer. Now, does that bring back any fuzzy memories from your youth?
Prohibition was a nationwide ban on the production or sale of alcohol from 1920-1933 in the United States, and this is how a crowd of very happy drinkers in New York City celebrate it finally coming to an end.
Mickey Mouse Therapy
In this photo from 1977, a 16-month-old girl is sitting in bed at a children's hospital when she receives a visit from the big guy himself—Mickey Mouse.
Mickey hopes to cheer the little girl up, but the expression on her face says she's not sure whether to be excited or terrified.
Here Comes The Queen
From hot gossip out of the U.K. to shows like Bridgerton, people have always had a fascination with the royal family, and this photo from 70 years ago is proof that some things never change.
This aerial photo from 1951 shows the procession of then-Princess Elizabeth and the late Duke of Edinburgh traveling down the streets of Vancouver, Canada, during a royal trip, being greeted by hundreds of onlookers.
The City That Never Sleeps
This is a photo from 1949, and it's of a specific location and city that is world-famous. Any guesses? No problem, this is a tough one without all the glitz and glam it's famous for.
This is New York City's famous Times Square decades before the dazzling lights and hub of activity turned it into the place we're familiar with today.
World War II
The deadliest conflict in human history, World War II claimed the lives of an estimated 75 million people, including soldiers and civilians alike.
This photo depicts child refugees in the Soviet Union during German occupation in 1943. The expression on this little girl's face is a harrowing reminder of the horrors of war.
Kamikaze Missions
In the height of the bloody Pacific Theater in World War II, Japanese pilots would embark on missions against American naval forces by deliberating crashing their fighter aircraft into ships. Also referred to as "kamikazes," these missions were suicidal.
This is the H.M.S. Sussex with the imprint of a Japanese fighter aircraft seared into the side of the ship's hull after one of these missions.
McDonald's
One of the largest fast-food chains on Earth, this photo from 1955 shows the more humble roots of McDonald's before it became the fast-food giant we know today.
This is the first-ever McDonald's, located in Illinois, and the McDonald brothers probably couldn't even begin to imagine what their company would one day turn into.
