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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

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David H
Community Member
12 months 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.

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#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

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Marco Richter
Community Member
12 months 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."

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#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

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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

#7

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

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

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Klopec
Community Member
12 months 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!

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#8

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

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

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scag$y
Community Member
12 months 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.

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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.

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#14

Young Couple In Love, 1920s

Young Couple In Love, 1920s

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#15

A Father With His 4 Daughters, 1904

A Father With His 4 Daughters, 1904

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Seabeast
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Pretty sure the one in back is a boy. The coat buttons left to right.

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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.

#16

Edwardian Woman With Her Friend, 1905

Edwardian Woman With Her Friend, 1905

Old Photos Report

#17

A Beautiful Couple From The 1940s

A Beautiful Couple From The 1940s

Old Photos Report

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Jessica Cifelli
Community Member
12 months 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

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#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

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lilycook avatar
Li’l E.
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wait, it her name Montana or are they in Montana? Or possibly even both?

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#21

Butterfly Boy, New York City, 1949

Butterfly Boy, New York City, 1949

Old Photos Report

#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

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Ms Merete
Community Member
12 months 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

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#24

Having A Little Fun On The Beach In 1940

Having A Little Fun On The Beach In 1940

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#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

#27

1926 Easter Celebration With Some Very Happy Children!

1926 Easter Celebration With Some Very Happy Children!

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

#30

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

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

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#31

A Family From Wisconsin, Late 1800s

A Family From Wisconsin, Late 1800s

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#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

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pathiatt avatar
Patty Panda
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

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#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

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Andrew Clouse
Community Member
12 months 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.

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#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

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Seabeast
Community Member
12 months 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.

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#37

Mistletoe Salesmen, Paris, 1928

Mistletoe Salesmen, Paris, 1928

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#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

#39

A One Room School House, 1923

A One Room School House, 1923

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#40

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

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

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veronicastahp avatar
Vermonta
Community Member
12 months 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

nraeanderson avatar
D'oh Rae is Me
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Shoes were quality and often resoled then. People also tlhad no issue with hand-me-downs like today.

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Martin Kaine
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As Groucho Marx once allegedly said: “I love my cigar too, but I take it out of my mouth every once in a while.”

karenyoung_1 avatar
karen Young
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thank for every one who worked in science who made this not a given for women today.

shopgirl012974 avatar
Alicia M
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I feel sorry for the oldest kids. They were most definitely caregivers for their younger siblings and forced to take on far more responsibility than they should have to.

tyranamar avatar
Tyranamar Seuss
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Back when my great grandma was born (1903), her parents had 18 kids to work the farm/ ranch. 3 died in infancy. The others all specialized in certain things. My great gran was one of the girls who cooked. There were 3. One of them opened a menudo kitchen in LA after she grew up. Some of the girls did childcare. Some of the boys worked fields or livestock. Etc. etc.

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norabest321
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

X linked problem?? Are you kidding??? There are so many variables when it comes to having a boy opposed to a girl and vice versa. One main contributor to having more boys/girls is the length of the fathers bits. The longer it is the better likelihood of boys bc while Y sperm swim fast they are not very resilient and less likely to make it all the way up to the egg if they have to swim a longer distance. However, X sperm swim slower but survive longer when they have a long way to go. This man had lots of girls. If you want to try to call out a chromosome, Y don't you reconsider which one has a potential "genetic problem".

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ADDee
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The man is very proud. Poor woman though, 15 pregnancies and deliveries before modern medicines and probably no hospital or doctor.

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Brandon Parisien
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This is what Republicans want with their bans ... in Texas and Florida anyway.

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Fuzzy bunny feet
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I always think how uncomfortable the shoes had to have been back then.

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itisdarkestbeforedawn78 avatar
Beck
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I noticed that too. I could not imagine living in that household. So stressful. Plus look at all those white clothes! So much laundry. Reminds me of the duggars🤮

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Anasha Lentz
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I knew of an Italian woman who had 24 children -pretty much back to back and some multiples! Husband, GIVE HER A BREAK!!!

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Rebecca Phillips-Partridge
Community Member
10 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And almost ALL girls..... Imagine the drama and emotions and female hormones at that house.... My mom had four girls.... We almost killed each other once a month!

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Kelsie Marx
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

My great grandmother had 13 kids. I was talking to my great uncle, and I asked him, “Why so many kids?” His answer was, “Well, when sex is your only form of entertainment, then that is what happens!” 😅😅

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William Mclaurin
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Wow, and only 2 boys. Not sure about the newborn, but no need to worry about a baby sitter.

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Jason Burt (TheBurle)
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else notice all the girls have the same hairdo? And did they only have the 1 son? That poor boy with 12 sisters.

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Jason Burt (TheBurle)
Community Member
11 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Anyone else notice that all the girls have the Same hairdo? And did they only have 1 son? That poor boy with his 12 sisters.

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Boris’ Mom
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is there a significance in the black ribbon on the one girl's hip? She also seems to have one around her neck.

veronicashadlow avatar
Boris’ Mom
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How could he afford shoes for all of them, serious question?!? All those growing feet, my gosh. Is the boy, one from front wearing something different on his feet? (over-sized shoes?)

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James Bishop
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Oh my lord....like every two days....one of em is beginning menstruation...... oh my lord

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Wayne Gossman
Community Member
12 months ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are people who enjoy big families, both men and women. Plenty of bad things in the world. No reason to make this picture so political.

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amy hipps
Community Member
12 months ago

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Just think. These people PAID for all thier children. Unlike today where they pop out multiple and expect an award. As in a check for taking care of thier kids. Ugh.

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Note: this post originally had 140 images. It’s been shortened to the top 40 images based on user votes.

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