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77 Old Photos That Are Equal Parts Beautiful, Strange And Fascinating
History is a fascinating subject because it paints a picture of all the amazing, creepy, and shocking things that happened in the past. There is so much that most of us probably couldn’t even fathom, but by looking back at those bygone days, we can learn a lot.
That’s why we put together a list of some of the oddest historical things that actually happened but seem too far-fetched to be true. Even though they might seem bizarre, they offer plenty to learn.
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#1
A Mother And Her Son On Their Way To A Pride Walk, 1985
Michael Largey 3 hours ago
This mom is good ... Just like she should. And this plucky son ...Is a lucky one.
RELATED:
#2
Not Married But Willing To Be
Ace 5 hours ago
This has often been represented as a gay couple but is more likely to be two single men both looking for wives, which was quite common in the US a century so ago, or indeed, judging from the pre-printed card, a joke, which apparently was also quite common in photo studio shots.
#3
First Lady Betty Ford Strikes A Pose On The Cabinet Room Table On January 19, 1977, Before She And The President Were To Leave The White House
Said Mrs. Ford, “I always wanted to dance on the Cabinet Room table!”
One crazy thing that happened in the past relates to the Voynich Manuscript, which researchers say is written in an indecipherable language that has left many cryptologists baffled. The mystery began in 1921, when a rare book dealer in London, Dr. Wilfred M. Voynich, started touring the United States, claiming he had an ancient manuscript that would startle scientists.
He said it contained black magic from the Middle Ages that was even more advanced than 20th-century magic. The manuscript also contained many intricate drawings of plants, herbs, planets, and more. What really stood out is the unknown language written on over 200 of its pages. Even World War II codebreaker Alan Turing and the FBI have tried to decipher the language, but they haven’t succeeded.
#4
The La Public Library's Bookmobile Program For The Sick, 1928
#5
Koolbiri, Widely Known To Colonists As “Mailman Jimmy”
A legendary Indigenous Australian runner from the Mirning people who served as the sole postal lifeline across the brutal Nullarbor Plain in the 1870s. Operating from roughly 1871 to 1876, he carried the Royal Mail between Fowlers Bay in South Australia and Eucla in Western Australia. He traversed a grueling 280 miles (approx. 450 kilometers) one way, meaning a full round trip spanned nearly 560 miles (700 kilometers). Koolbiri completed this trek every single fortnight. He would run the mailbags out during one week, and return with a new batch the next.
#6
A Picnic At The California Alligator Farm In The 1920s, Located In The Lincoln Heights Neighborhood Of Los Angeles Between 1907 And 1953
The farm had 20 ponds for the trained alligators where patrons could mingle freely with them.
Practical jokes are always funny, but did you know that in 1835 the New York newspaper The Sun published 6 stories about life on the Moon? The National Air and Space Museum reports that this hoax spread so far and wide that many folks bought newspapers just to read the information and truly believed what they were told.
Folks were shocked that apparently there were “unicorns, two-legged beavers, and furry, winged humanoids that resembled bats,” all on our satellite’s surface. Luckily, the newspaper later clarified that it was a hoax, but folks seriously believed what they read.
#7
A Man Experiences Irony As His Car, Laden With Used Tires, Has A Flat Tire, Houston, Texas, 1966
#8
This Odd Looking Motorcycle Was Captured By The Us Army At A German Military Base In 1945
At first glance, it might remind you of an Indian Chief with it's full skirted fenders, but take a closer look and you'll see that it is very different kind of machine. Leave it to German engineers to design a motorcycle with a three cylinder two stroke engine mounted inside the front wheel. The oddities don't stop there either, since the engine was mounted in the front wheel, transmission and clutch were housed up front as well. That meant the entire powertrain could be removed just by dropping the front wheel. The motorcycle was actually built by 5 German engineers from Munich in 1935, but WWII got in the way of their production plans.
UKGrandad 49 minutes ago
There's a good reason nobody else took the idea further. With all the weight on the front wheel, handling will have been a nightmare. Far too heavy to manoeuvre easily at low speeds and the back wheel would have no traction so be prone to sliding out when cornering at speed.
#9
Martin Alan Feldman (July 8, 1934 – December 2, 1982) Was A British Actor, Comedian And Writer. He Was Known For His Prominent, Misaligned Eyes
Ace 4 hours ago
A familiar face to British TV viewers of a certain age, with several of his own series as well as writing for and performing with the proto-Pythons and other well-loved comics of that period. For US folks who may be less familiar with him, he played Igor opposite Gene Wilder in Mel Brooks's Young Frankenstein, and later appeared in Wilder's follow-up Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother from which this still is taken.
With the world getting hotter every year because of global warming, it might seem bizarre to think of a time without any heat, but historyfacts mentions that in 1816, temperatures were freezing year-round. Even during the warmest months, folks were affected by bizarre weather and snowfall that made it feel like a year without summer.
What’s shocking is that scientists traced the cause to Mount Tambora in Indonesia, which erupted in April 1815. This phenomenon sent huge amounts of sulfur-rich material into the atmosphere, blocking sunlight and significantly cooling the Northern Hemisphere. Unfortunately, this led to food shortages and rising prices, which affected folks significantly.
#10
Twenty-Stranded Braid Of A Girl From Fraga, A Town In The Province Of Aragon Just On The Border With Catalonia, Spain, In 1929
#11
A Pig Photobombs A Rural Wedding, England, 1927
#12
A Man Posing With A Donkey In His Lap, CA. 1910s
History is full of shocking events that most of us can’t even comprehend today, and one of them is the 1908 Tunguska explosion. In a remote part of central Siberia, something blew up with a force estimated to be equivalent to millions of tons of TNT. This explosion flattened nearly 500,000 acres of forest and injured many folks who were miles away.
Later, researchers discovered that an asteroid entered Earth's atmosphere and exploded several miles above the ground, causing an airburst that released enormous energy and left a crater in the region. Even though it's easier to explain this process in hindsight, at the time it was a truly terrifying mystery.
#13
A Family Out For A Ride In The UK, CA. 1930s
#14
Two Young Lovers Kissing In A Pumpkin Patch, 1899
#15
A Woman From Bagnara Carrying A Swordfish On Her Head Calabria, Italy, 1945
One day, the present moment we’re living in will also be part of history, and it’s up to us to decide whether we want to make it a fascinating story or a mysterious one. Clearly, it might be tough to match some of the posts on this list, but we can all try to create some interesting bits of history ourselves.
We’d love to hear which is your favorite story from the past and why. Do share your thoughts in the comments below.
#16
In 1920, Canada Witnessed A Groundbreaking Moment In Construction History
With the development of the first ready-made concrete pipe - an innovation capable of withstanding up to 23 tons of pressure. To prove its incredible strength, a dramatic public demonstration was held. The pipe was placed on the ground and stacked with heavy bags weighing several tons. To add even more weight, a group of men climbed on top. But the most astonishing part? The inventor himself climbed inside the pipe during the test - a powerful show of confidence in his creation.
#18
Boo-Koo Hamburger Stand In Harlingen, Texas. Burgers 5 Cents, Chili A Dime, Breakfast Two Bits, The 7up Is Real. (Photo By Russell Lee. February 1939)
#19
In 1963, Polaroid Chief Chemist Howard G. Rogers And His Team Famously Posed With 5,000 Bottles Of Chemical Compounds
Representing years of meticulous experimentation to perfect the first instant color film, Polacolor. This immense effort, testing thousands of dye and chemical combinations, enabled color photography to develop in minutes.
#20
Women Dressed In Black Capes And Tall, Pointed Hats, Enjoying Tea Outdoors, Around 1920
Despite their appearance, which strongly resembles the popular image of witches, they were not a coven. They were the members of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Castle Rising, an almshouse charity located in Castle Rising, Norfolk, England.
#21
A Man And His Dog In A Photo Booth, 1943
#22
A Photograph Depicting Alice And A Very Creepy Dormouse In In “Alice In Wonderland” (1887)
Janissary35680 3 hours ago
🎵🎶Remember what the Dormouse said / "Feed your head! Feed your head!"🎶🎵
#23
The Librarian At Lorain Ohio, Public Library Is Looking At The 50,000 Book Chaos After One Shelf Fell Over, The Rest Fell Like Dominoes, 1971
#24
British Actress Jessie Matthews Supporting An Enormous Headdress For The Revue 'Evergreen' (1934)
#25
Rosalind Russell Riding Bicycle On The Set Of “The Trouble With Angels” (1966)
#26
A Giant Snowman Measuring 17 Ft., Made By Two Girls In Aberdeen, Scotland, 1963
#28
A Steam Locomotive Is Transported Across The Rio Grande River Via A Cable In New Mexico, USA, 1915
#29
Brand New 1949 Fords Are Heading Down The Mississippi. The Photo Was Taken On August 19, 1949
#30
A Real Photo Postcard Of A Couple Amusingly Posed On A Piano Bench With The Woman Wearing Men's Clothes And Vice Versa
#31
Showgirl With A Stuffed Bird In A Cage On Her Hindquarters At The Latin Quarter Nightclub, New York, 1952
#32
‘Flying Saucer’ Gas Stations In Kyiv From The Late 1970s And Early 1980s
#33
Three Million Volts Hit A Car In The Westinghouse Electric Corporation In Pittsburgh For A ‘Lightning Test,’ CA. 1940s. The Passenger Remained Unharmed
#34
Two People Are Wearing Painted-On Eyes At A 1955 Art Student League Ball In NYC
#35
Chetak Helicopters Used By Indian Air Force For Ceremonial Flyovers In The 1970s
#36
This Is The Picture Of Two Brothers Named Michael And Sean Mcquilken
The photo was taken by their sister, using an old Kodak Instamatic camera, on August 20, 1975 in Sequoia National Park in California. A few seconds after this photo the pair were struck by lightning. They both survived.
#37
The Woman Was Photographed On The Background Of Painted Canvas Covering The Destroyed Buildings, Warsaw, 1946
#38
One Of The Strangest Historical Remedies Comes From The 1890s: Vibration Therapy
This involved placing a patient’s head inside a helmet and then striking a metal anvil beneath it with a mallet, sending vibrations through the skull. Whether this method actually eased pain or simply stunned the sufferer into silence remains unclear, but it highlights the desperate and sometimes bizarre lengths people went to in order to find relief from chronic headaches.
#39
A Japanese Woman Carrying Her Children In A Bucket On Her Head, Japan, CA. 1900s
Fat Harry (Oi / You) 1 hour ago
I have a hat just like that. Children are all grown up now, though.
#40
Mary Anne Hawkins Surfing The Flooded Streets Of Long Beach, California, CA. 1938
Laszlo Larthlanc 2 hours ago
They were able to do this just recently due to the Kelvin Wave tides. I don't know if anyone did it, though.
#42
A Troupe Of Elephants And A Zebra Paraded Down 33rd Street In Manhattan, Heralding The Arrival Of The Ringling Brothers And Barnum & Bailey Circus In 1968
#43
American Civil War Soldier Clowning Around For The Camera, CA. 1863
#44
“Will You Just Look At My Grandpa Playing Piano!”
#45
A Man Checks His E-Mail Over A Public Pay Telephone
Using A Panasonic Rl-P4001 Acoustic Coupler Dial-Up Modem Attached To A Panasonic Rl-H1400 Hhc (Hand-Held Computer) In The Early 1980s. The Panasonic Rl-H1400 Was A Hand Held Computer That Was First Introduced In 1982 And Was Priced Around $600.
#46
An Original Car Wash Designed To Mainly Clean The Undercarriages Since Most Roads Were Still Dirt Roads In Chicago, Us In 1924
#47
Vintage Snap Of People Dressing In DIY Robot Costumes For Halloween
#48
View Of A Lineman Working On Power Or Telephone Lines At An Intersection In Pratt, Kansas, 1911
#49
Motorcyclist Johnny Hogg And His Wife Riding On An Aqueduct Pipeline With A Harley-Davidson Sidecar Rig, Mid-1910s
The pipeline ran about 15 miles through Los Angeles’ Mint Canyon. Mere days after this stunt was completed, another daring rider on a solo machine attempted the same stunt and found himself in the hospital.
Laszlo Larthlanc 2 hours ago
Not the city of Los Angeles, but Los Angeles County. Mint Canyon is in the eastern portion of the city of Santa Clarita, within the Canyon Country area. Today, the two closest thoroughfares are Sierra Highway and State Highway 14.
#50
In 1883, Yomut Women From Krasnovodsk, Now Known As Türkmenbaşy In Turkmenistan, Were Photographed Wearing The Striking Kasaba, A Distinctive Cylindrical Headgear
The Kasaba was tall and elaborate, immediately drawing attention with its intricate design. This headgear was more than just a fashion statement; it symbolized status, wealth, and social position within the community, marking the wearer as a married woman of elevated standing.
#53
“Glass” Tops For Convertibles, Similar To The “Blisters” And “Bubbles” Made By The Same Company For War Planes, Have Been Introduced In Los Angeles
#54
In 1954, The Traveler Could Install A Relief Bunk In His Car – An Aluminum Cot That Extends Above The Seats From Front To Rear
#55
In 1928, A Figure Known As The Ice Man Could Be Seen Delivering A 25-Pound Ice Block In Houston, Texas
#56
French Knife Grinders In Thiers From The Early 20th Century
They would work on their stomachs to save their backs from being hunched all day and had dogs sit on their legs for warmth.
Michael Largey 2 hours ago
"No, boss, I wasn't napping on my desk. Just trying to save my back, see?"
#57
The “Michelin Band” Performs At The Inauguration Of The Michelin Hour Radio Show, April 17, 1928
#58
Masked Spectators Pose With Dalmatian Dogs After A Screening Of Walt Disney’s One Hundred And One Dalmatians On The Champs-Elysees In Paris On December 14, 1961
#59
Newspaper Seller With A Mask In Paris, 1929
#60
Studio Portrait, Young Woman In Christmas Tree Fancy Dress And Hat Costume. New Zealand, Circa 1910
#61
Man Using His Car Phone On A New York City Street, 1959. Photo By K. H. Peter
Richard Graham 3 hours ago (edited)
1957 Ford Thunderbird. Notice that apparatus above the tail-light. I guess that is an antenna for the phone. (I see the back of a 1957 Plymouth. The light-colored car is a 1953 Ford, The dark-colored is a 1956? Mercury. Behind it is a very early (1957?) Checker Marathon taxi. On the left is the rear fender of a middle-1950s Cadillac.))
#63
1969 Pontiac Catalina. Having A Wonderful Time
#64
Home Prices In The 1950s
Marilyn Holt 4 hours ago
But you also need to show what salaries were then. --maybe $1200/annually
#65
“If Going Much Further Please Take One.” Typical ‘Aussie’ Humor Is Reflected In This Sign Erected On The El Alamein Road By Australian Troops, 1942
#67
Army Veteran And His Dog Riding Their Bike. The Man Has A WWII Award On His Lapel
#68
The Jiangyou Figure Hill Temple. Simple Iron Chain Bridge, China, CA. 1930s
#70
A Champagne Inspector Wearing A Special Mask To Protect Against Accidental Discharges, CA. 1933
#71
Giant Inflatable 'Pinocchio' From The 13th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade In New York City, 1937
#72
A Young Woman Holds Her Arms And Legs In Four Water Bathes With Electric Current, To Improve Blood Circulation, Circa 1938
#73
Coal Miners In Belgium Crammed In A Mine Elevator Coming Up After A Long Days Work In 1900
#74
Boxer Fred Bretonnel In 1920 At The Age Of 15 And In 1928 At The Age Of 23. In A Career Totaling 76 Matches, He Lost 18, Drew 14 And Won 42 With 14 Knock Outs
Marilyn Holt 4 hours ago
He d**d by s*****e when he was 23. Being hit in the head at least 76 times probably ruined him.
#75
Photographs Show Alligator In Automobile Trunk, 1949
#76
In 1859, English Settler Thomas Austin (A Wealthy Pastoralist) Released About 24 European Rabbits On His Barwon Park Estate Near Winchelsea, Victoria, For Sport Hunting
The rabbits arrived on Christmas Day from his family in Somerset, England.
#77
A C Of C Industrial Expo Publicity, Miss Vera Vance Stands Upon A Gasoline Pump With A Hose In Her Mouth. Photo Dated: August 1926
Richard Graham 3 hours ago
At these prices! Who can afford to just drink gasoline? It but be savors, and horded.
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