ADVERTISEMENT

Every glimpse of the past that we see is a chance for our imaginations to take off on a wild time-warp journey. The beautiful vintage photos of the past gathered by this amazing Facebook page also promise to take you on a journey across time and space.

Indeed, the photos featured by this account come from all around the world. Each photo tells a story of when, where, and who. We are invited to daydream (or, you know, research) about the lives of people in the photos, whether they’re hard-working peasants in a rice paddy, roguish children playing in a street, or businesspeople showing off their new-fangled horseless carriages.

We can be glad that modern technology is helping us preserve and spread these photos. Many old paper or silver plate photos are in danger of irreversible deterioration, and countless more are already lost. These few remaining glimpses of the past are to be treasured and shared, so scroll onwards, brave time traveler. Let us know which ones are your favorites in the comments and share these old vintage photos far and wide!

#1

Neighborhood Kids Sharing A Laugh In Nebraska, 1910

Neighborhood Kids Sharing A Laugh In Nebraska, 1910

Old Photos Report

Add photo comments
POST
David H
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

People forget places like Nebraska were less racially divided than the coastal and deep south states at the time. In fact Nebraska was one of the few states that never had interracial marriage banned. Midwest and Western farming states and communities were a very different place than the rest of the US at the time.

View more commentsArrow down menu
RELATED:
    #2

    Three Women Who Completed Their Education And Graduated As Physicians In Philadelphia, 1885

    Three Women Who Completed Their Education And Graduated As Physicians In Philadelphia, 1885

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Marco Richter
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Context from the Huffington post: "The first women’s medical college in the world, the WMCP was a magnet for ambitious ladies of all stripes. The three in the photograph -- from left to right, Anandibai Joshi, Keiko Okami, and Sabat Islambouli -- eventually became among the first licensed female doctors in their respective countries: India, Japan and Syria."

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #3

    Dapper Young Man All Dressed Up To Have His Photo Made, 1905

    Dapper Young Man All Dressed Up To Have His Photo Made, 1905

    Old Photos Report

    #4

    Portrait Of A Very Handsome Young Man, 1904

    Portrait Of A Very Handsome Young Man, 1904

    Old Photos Report

    The history of photography begins with very tangible chemical processes, far from the powerful digital sensors and endless reproduction we enjoy today. The first photo that has survived to this day was taken in 1826 or 1827 by Joseph Nicéphore Niépce. In his heliograph, the view from a window in his home was reproduced in low fidelity using a process involving bitumen (a component of asphalt) and lavender oil.

    #5

    These Progressive High School Girls Learn The Finer Points Of Auto Mechanics In 1927

    These Progressive High School Girls Learn The Finer Points Of Auto Mechanics In 1927

    Old Photos Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #7

    A Young Woman Posing For A Studio Portrait, Kentucky, 1890-1910

    A Young Woman Posing For A Studio Portrait, Kentucky, 1890-1910

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Klopec
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Gorgeous, I would love to hear the history on all if these photos!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #8

    Madame Decourcelle The First Female Taxi Driver In Paris, France, 1909

    Madame Decourcelle The First Female Taxi Driver In Paris, France, 1909

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    scag$y
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I challenge you to look at that horn without making the noise in your head. Or out loud.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT

    The first photo approximating modern life-like quality standards was invented by Louis Daguerre. He named the daguerreotype process after himself, so we must be grateful that better and less egotistically named processes were discovered later. Although daguerreotypes required longer exposure times of up to several minutes, this was a vast improvement over the 8-ish hours used for Niépce’s heliograph.

    #9

    Apache Woman And Child. Fort Apache, Arizona, 1898

    Apache Woman And Child. Fort Apache, Arizona, 1898

    Old Photos Report

    #10

    Shy Young Woman Smiling For The Camera 143 Years Ago

    Shy Young Woman Smiling For The Camera 143 Years Ago

    Old Photos Report

    #11

    Louis & Lola, Titanic Survivors

    Louis & Lola, Titanic Survivors

    Old Photos Report

    Cultural attitudes towards photography also changed as the technology improved. With the long exposure times of early processes, photographs could be thought of much like still-life or portrait paintings. Families or dignitaries would dress up to sit for a portrait, or artists would select beautiful landscapes or scenes to photograph. As film exposure times shortened and film became easier to acquire and process, photographers were able to start experimenting more boldly and to start capturing dynamic shots.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Young Couple In Love, 1920s

    Young Couple In Love, 1920s

    Old Photos Report

    #15

    A Father With His 4 Daughters, 1904

    A Father With His 4 Daughters, 1904

    Old Photos Report

    The photographs in this collection come from a wide range of different historical photographic processes, but of course, the most fascinating aspect of each is the subject matter. In most, the people depicted are no longer with us, and if their memories don’t live on with their progeny, these may be the only signs of their existence that we have left. We invite you to spend some time with these photos and try to imagine what the moments they captured might have looked, sounded, felt, and even smelled like so many years ago.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #17

    A Beautiful Couple From The 1940s

    A Beautiful Couple From The 1940s

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Jessica Cifelli
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Hard to believe that just 20 years before this photo there would be almost no skin showing

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #18

    In The 1940s, Men Dressed In Shorts And Cowboy Boots Served Up To Women At A Drive Through In Texas

    In The 1940s, Men Dressed In Shorts And Cowboy Boots Served Up To Women At A Drive Through In Texas

    Old Photos Report

    #20

    Elk River And His Wife, Montana, 1890

    Elk River And His Wife, Montana, 1890

    Old Photos Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #22

    Mother And Daughter Watch A Tall Ship Navigate The Thames In London, 1880

    Mother And Daughter Watch A Tall Ship Navigate The Thames In London, 1880

    Old Photos Report

    #23

    Mother With Her Daughter, 1880

    Mother With Her Daughter, 1880

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ms Merete
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    May be Mother and Son - this is how little boys used to be dressed until they were old enough for breeches

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #24

    Having A Little Fun On The Beach In 1940

    Having A Little Fun On The Beach In 1940

    Old Photos Report

    #25

    Barefoot Kids At A Mobile Book Cart In The Appalachian Mountains

    Barefoot Kids At A Mobile Book Cart In The Appalachian Mountains

    Old Photos Report

    #29

    Two Friends Strolling In A Cool Stream On A Warm Day, 1910

    Two Friends Strolling In A Cool Stream On A Warm Day, 1910

    Old Photos Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #30

    A 'Man In The Moon' Hair-Beard Combo, 1895

    A 'Man In The Moon' Hair-Beard Combo, 1895

    Old Photos Report

    #32

    A Stylish Woman Walking Her Dog At The Bois De Boulogne In Paris, 1910

    A Stylish Woman Walking Her Dog At The Bois De Boulogne In Paris, 1910

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Patty Panda
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This old photograph then became today's modern distracted boyfriend meme 😁

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #33

    Young Ladies In Norway, 1890s

    Young Ladies In Norway, 1890s

    Old Photos Report

    #34

    Portrait Of A Young Boy, Claude Clark, Sitting On A Rocking Horse, 1902

    Portrait Of A Young Boy, Claude Clark, Sitting On A Rocking Horse, 1902

    Old Photos Report

    #35

    The High Jump At Olympics Games In London, 1908

    The High Jump At Olympics Games In London, 1908

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Andrew Clouse
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    What we see high jumpers do today (going over the bar head first and back to the ground) is called the Fosbury Flop, after D**k Fosbury. He won the 1969 Gold with the technique. Before that, like in this picture, people would just jump normal over the bar. Might be why it's so low.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #36

    A Mom Asks Not To Kiss Her Baby To Avoid Catching A Bug, 1939

    A Mom Asks Not To Kiss Her Baby To Avoid Catching A Bug, 1939

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Seabeast
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    The "Spanish" flu epidemic was just 20 years earlier. The mother would have remembered that.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    #38

    A Drunken Man In Top Hat And Tails Clings To A Lamp-Post, London, 1934

    A Drunken Man In Top Hat And Tails Clings To A Lamp-Post, London, 1934

    Old Photos Report

    #40

    The Noonans, A Family Of 15 Living In 1920s. Lawrence, Massachusetts

    The Noonans, A Family Of 15 Living In 1920s. Lawrence, Massachusetts

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Vermonta
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He must have been wealthy to afford to put shoes on all those kids. Still, no excuse for a vagina to be a clown car

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
    Unlimited content
    Ad-free browsing
    Dark mode
    #41

    Cyclist From Estonia, On A Self-Made Bicycle, 1912

    Cyclist From Estonia, On A Self-Made Bicycle, 1912

    Old Photos Report

    #42

    A Beautiful Couple From 163 Years Ago!

    A Beautiful Couple From 163 Years Ago!

    Old Photos Report

    #43

    These Two Photographs Are Separated By 66 Years

    These Two Photographs Are Separated By 66 Years

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Nothankyou
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nat, pictures are real . But you have your opinion, based on what? I don't know.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #44

    New York City At Night, 1935

    New York City At Night, 1935

    Old Photos Report

    #45

    Mother And Son, Ireland, 1890

    Mother And Son, Ireland, 1890

    Old Photos Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #46

    A Young Shopper Climbs On To The Sandbags To Get A Closer Look At The Toys In A Shop Window In The West End Of London, December 1939

    A Young Shopper Climbs On To The Sandbags To Get A Closer Look At The Toys In A Shop Window In The West End Of London, December 1939

    Old Photos Report

    #47

    Teenage Sisters Gertrude And Ursula Falke. Germany, 1906

    Teenage Sisters Gertrude And Ursula Falke. Germany, 1906

    Old Photos Report

    #48

    A Victorian Home Being Moved Via Horse Power In San Francisco, 1908

    A Victorian Home Being Moved Via Horse Power In San Francisco, 1908

    Old Photos Report

    #50

    Snowball Fight On The School Yard, Sweden, 1901

    Snowball Fight On The School Yard, Sweden, 1901

    Old Photos Report

    #51

    A Cable Worker During The Construction Of The Empire State Building

    A Cable Worker During The Construction Of The Empire State Building

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Babsevs
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Nope .....the jobs people would do for money back in the day, bloody terrifying

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #52

    Depression-Era Children In 1939

    Depression-Era Children In 1939

    Old Photos Report

    #53

    Henry Ford Drives His First Automobile, 1896

    Henry Ford Drives His First Automobile, 1896

    Old Photos Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #54

    Summer Refreshment For City Dwellers, 1925

    Summer Refreshment For City Dwellers, 1925

    Old Photos Report

    #55

    Young Clock Maker At His Desk, 1860s

    Young Clock Maker At His Desk, 1860s

    Old Photos Report

    #57

    A Car Accident In Boston, 1927

    A Car Accident In Boston, 1927

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    scag$y
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    'Yes officer, he shot down here doing at least 12mph! Could have killed someone. A very slow someone, but nonetheless.'

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #58

    Christmas Dinner, 1936. Dinner Consisted Of Potatoes, Cabbage And Pie

    Christmas Dinner, 1936. Dinner Consisted Of Potatoes, Cabbage And Pie

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Fuzzy bunny feet
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    This is how my grandmother's childhood was in the Appalachian mountains. She ended up owning her own very successful business and was able to give back to her community. She was an amazing woman.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #59

    Young Victorian Couple On A Tricycle, 1880s

    Young Victorian Couple On A Tricycle, 1880s

    Old Photos Report

    #60

    This Is How People Was Having Some Fun In 1940!

    This Is How People Was Having Some Fun In 1940!

    Old Photos Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #62

    Man Standing On Lap Of Colossal Figure Of Ramses, 1856

    Man Standing On Lap Of Colossal Figure Of Ramses, 1856

    Old Photos Report

    #63

    Young, Well-Dressed, Victorian Girl In 1902

    Young, Well-Dressed, Victorian Girl In 1902

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Chewie Baron
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Edwardian. 1902 King Edward VII was on the throne. Victoria died in at the start of 1901.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #64

    Playing Auto Polo In Canada, 1919

    Playing Auto Polo In Canada, 1919

    Old Photos Report

    #66

    Empire State Building Construction Workers In The 1930s

    Empire State Building Construction Workers In The 1930s

    Old Photos Report

    #67

    A Woman Kisses A British Soldier Returning From Ww2

    A Woman Kisses A British Soldier Returning From Ww2

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Alan Morgan
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Men appear to be wearing putters which is WW1, not WW2. Also that carriage is not British so photo probably taken in France.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #68

    4 Generations In 1 Picture, 1880s

    4 Generations In 1 Picture, 1880s

    Old Photos Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Seabeast
    Community Member
    1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    If you start producing children at a young enough age and encourage your offspring to do the same, it's not hard to have great-grandchildren. I once knew a guy who was a great-grandfather at age 67.

    View More Replies...
    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #69

    A Stylish Young Gentleman On A Winter Stroll, 1900

    A Stylish Young Gentleman On A Winter Stroll, 1900

    Old Photos Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #70

    Two Female Passengers Eating A Meal In A Dining Car. England, 1905

    Two Female Passengers Eating A Meal In A Dining Car. England, 1905

    Old Photos Report

    #72

    A 19th-Century Family At Their Sod House On The Plains Showing Off Their Goods In The Yard

    A 19th-Century Family At Their Sod House On The Plains Showing Off Their Goods In The Yard

    Old Photos Report

    #73

    A New Year’s Party In The Edwardian Era

    A New Year’s Party In The Edwardian Era

    Old Photos Report

    #74

    Children Carrying Holly And Mistle Toe, 1915

    Children Carrying Holly And Mistle Toe, 1915

    Old Photos Report

    #75

    Portrait Of Eighteen Girls And Boys At Sunday School

    Portrait Of Eighteen Girls And Boys At Sunday School

    Old Photos Report

    #76

    A Group Of Kids Gathered Together, Massachusetts, 1904

    A Group Of Kids Gathered Together, Massachusetts, 1904

    Old Photos Report

    #77

    Beautiful Victorian Woman, 1900

    Beautiful Victorian Woman, 1900

    Old Photos Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #78

    Portrait Of A California Gold Miner With Pick And Shovel, 1850

    Portrait Of A California Gold Miner With Pick And Shovel, 1850

    Old Photos Report

    #79

    A British Soldier Whispers Into The Ear Of A Loved One As He Leaves For The Front, 1939

    A British Soldier Whispers Into The Ear Of A Loved One As He Leaves For The Front, 1939

    Old Photos Report