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When thinking about the past, it feels like a surreal reality that sometimes could be more difficult to imagine than the future. But seeing photos from 1800 and 1900 feels even weirder since it is actual proof of it happening. And more importantly, people's lives don't seem to be boring or dull. On the contrary, they look risky, weird, fun, and simply put - entertaining to my futuristic human eyes. I am sure, if these people had the internet back then, we would be greeted with quality memes from past times. So, after all, we are not that different, just with other possibilities.

But I don’t want to romanticize the olden times. They did have pretty harsh legislation, and it wasn’t easy if you did not fit into the ideology of that time. And even though we have our own challenges nowadays, I’d rather be here and now. Though it feels interesting to see how the Statue of Liberty or the Eiffel Tower looked when they were still under construction, as well as simpler things, such as people's fashion, their lazy Sunday afternoons, and even dogs doing chores.

Thankfully, a Facebook page called 'Old Photos' keeps us posted on the past, and today we want to invite you to delve into these vintage photos part 2. Feel free to check out part 1 here, and for more, you can also visit our posts of important historical images and old photos in real life.

#3

It's Not About Where You Are, Its Who You're With

It's Not About Where You Are, Its Who You're With

Old Photos Report

With the first camera, there came the first photo ever that was taken in 1826. French scientist Joseph Nicéphore Niépce, after taking a photo titled View from the Window at Le Gras, at his family’s country home, became the first photographer in the world.

Photography is an important part of our lives that has been used in a variety of ways up to this day. Unlike paintings of events or portraits of certain people, photography finally gave society an option to capture those true moments of what was happening.

Going through these old images allows us to travel to the craziest places, like the Saloon in 1890, where children were not only allowed but also could order child-sized beers. What a time.

#6

Net Fix And Chill, Irish Fishermen, Ireland 1910

Net Fix And Chill, Irish Fishermen, Ireland 1910

Old Photos Report

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When going through images of olden times, you can also notice improvements in photo cameras by the quality of the pictures. But that is not the only thing that gives it away. Smiles can also be a factor. If you see a person refusing to smile in an old image, that does not necessarily mean that living in 1800, for example, was sad or depressing. Very early technology could not capture those beautiful smiles.

The explanation behind that is a long exposure - the time that the camera needed to take the picture in - which meant that people had to stay as still as possible to avoid blurriness.

#7

Annie Oakley Shooting A Gun Over Her Shoulder Using A Hand Mirror, 1899

Annie Oakley Shooting A Gun Over Her Shoulder Using A Hand Mirror, 1899

Old Photos Report

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The other reason, which is also valid in explaining why people seemed so unhappy in the old photos, is because photography was heavily influenced by painted portraits. Paintings were used to immortalize a representation of a person in time, while today, it is used for capturing a moment in life. Even after technological advances in cameras made it possible to photograph people faster, the tradition hadn’t made that transition as quickly. If you think of it, that can be seen even today, where technology has advanced in milestones, while some people still choose to live by the traditions of the past.

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#10

A Cat's Life On The Farm, 1951

A Cat's Life On The Farm, 1951

Old Photos Report

#12

Kiowa Couple Lone Wolf And Etla, 1860

Kiowa Couple Lone Wolf And Etla, 1860

Old Photos Report

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Stephanie Did It
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He's pretty chill but she has the weight of the world on her shoulders. I feel so bad for them.

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Some more bizarre ideas of early photography were that it was considered a passage to immortality. So instead of photographing alive, happy people, there are many portraits of individuals who recently passed.

Compared to today, when it is considered weird to take photos at funerals, it only shows how far we have come. It is interesting to think of how photography will evolve in the future, and maybe one day, we will be looking back at the photos from these days with confusion and relief that it is not ok to do what we did anymore.

#13

Anne Frank Pokes Her Head Out Of Her Family's Flat In Amsterdam, 1942

Anne Frank Pokes Her Head Out Of Her Family's Flat In Amsterdam, 1942

Old Photos Report

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VonBlade
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I'm sad. Not just because of her, but what she represents for millions of other children.

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#14

Photographer Above The Skies Of Berlin, 1912

Photographer Above The Skies Of Berlin, 1912

Old Photos Report

#15

A Couple Dancing On Ice-Skates On Whitestone Pond, Hampstead, London, 1933

A Couple Dancing On Ice-Skates On Whitestone Pond, Hampstead, London, 1933

Old Photos Report

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#16

Even The Window Cleaners Wore Suits 100 Years Ago

Even The Window Cleaners Wore Suits 100 Years Ago

Old Photos Report

#17

Women Boxing On A Roof, 1938

Women Boxing On A Roof, 1938

Old Photos Report

#19

Mother Home Schools Her Children In Transylvania, Louisiana, 1937

Mother Home Schools Her Children In Transylvania, Louisiana, 1937

Old Photos Report

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Kookamunga
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

No, there is a Transylvania, Louisiana - it's filled with crawfish-eating Creole vampires.

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#20

Two Ladies Leaving A Polling Station, London, 1929

Two Ladies Leaving A Polling Station, London, 1929

Old Photos Report

#21

Two Girls Standing Outside Of A Snow Fort, 1910

Two Girls Standing Outside Of A Snow Fort, 1910

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indiecognition
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hope at least one of them grew up to be an architect... that's a very impressive fort!

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#22

Grandma Patching The Only Pants Of Her Grandson, 1907

Grandma Patching The Only Pants Of Her Grandson, 1907

Old Photos Report

#23

Do We Have Such Accurate Halloween Costumes These Days?

Do We Have Such Accurate Halloween Costumes These Days?

Old Photos Report

#25

Queen Elizabeth II In 1945

Queen Elizabeth II In 1945

Old Photos Report

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vonblade avatar
VonBlade
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Engineer. There are loads of photos of her working on jeeps and things.

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#26

A Portrait Taken Of A Woman While She Was Mid-Sneeze

A Portrait Taken Of A Woman While She Was Mid-Sneeze

Old Photos Report

#27

1850s Young Fashionable Teen With A Slight Smirk

1850s Young Fashionable Teen With A Slight Smirk

Old Photos Report

#28

Leola King, America’s First Female Traffic Cop, 1918

Leola King, America’s First Female Traffic Cop, 1918

Old Photos Report

#30

A Saloon That Allowed Children Their Own Child-Size Beers, Wisconsin, 1890

A Saloon That Allowed Children Their Own Child-Size Beers, Wisconsin, 1890

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SarahBee
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

In Wisconsin, it's legal for anyone who's 14 or older to be served alcohol - they just need to be with a parent, and there has to be ID to back this up.

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#31

Two Amphicars Crossed The English Channel In 1965

Two Amphicars Crossed The English Channel In 1965

Old Photos Report

#32

Tattooed Family In 1910

Tattooed Family In 1910

Old Photos Report

#33

One Of The First Original Selfies, Taken With A Stick, 1934

One Of The First Original Selfies, Taken With A Stick, 1934

Old Photos Report

#34

Soldiers Peel Onions While Using Gas Masks To Stop Them From Crying, 1941

Soldiers Peel Onions While Using Gas Masks To Stop Them From Crying, 1941

Old Photos Report

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#36

Albert Einstein Plays His Beloved Violin, 1941

Albert Einstein Plays His Beloved Violin, 1941

Old Photos Report

#38

First Photograph Of A Tornado Near Garnett, Kansas. April 26, 1884

First Photograph Of A Tornado Near Garnett, Kansas. April 26, 1884

Old Photos Report

#39

A Family In Front Of Their Summer Home. Stockholm, Sweden, 1867

A Family In Front Of Their Summer Home. Stockholm, Sweden, 1867

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Headless Roach
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I am sure it was an amazing family, but it looks like a horror movie scene to me

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#40

Mother And Son, Ireland, 1890

Mother And Son, Ireland, 1890

Old Photos Report

#41

The Hand And The Torch Of The Statue Of Liberty Being Built In A Paris Studio Around 1876

The Hand And The Torch Of The Statue Of Liberty Being Built In A Paris Studio Around 1876

Old Photos Report

#44

Northumbrian Miner At His Evening Meal, 1937

Northumbrian Miner At His Evening Meal, 1937

Old Photos Report

#45

The Earliest Known Photo Of Abraham Lincoln, 1840

The Earliest Known Photo Of Abraham Lincoln, 1840

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sofacushionfort
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

There are 130 known photographs of Abraham Lincoln. I don’t believe this is one of them

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#46

J W Waldron's Smith & Bicycle Works In Brighton, England. C. 1900

J W Waldron's Smith & Bicycle Works In Brighton, England. C. 1900

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VonBlade
Community Member
1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Wheels the same size is madness. You're all fools. I'm going to make one wheel 7 feet high, and the other six inches." - The Penny Farthing designer, probably.

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#47

Frank Lentini, An Owner Of 3 Legs, 4 Feet, 16 Toes, And 2 Functioning Sets Of Genitals

Frank Lentini, An Owner Of 3 Legs, 4 Feet, 16 Toes, And 2 Functioning Sets Of Genitals

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scag$y
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1 year ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

He used to have three arms and four legs but then he got the bill from his tailor.

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#49

Rear View Of Young Couple Snuggling Behind The Wheel Of His Convertible As They Watch Large Screen Action Behind Rows Of Cars At A Drive-In Movie Theater

Rear View Of Young Couple Snuggling Behind The Wheel Of His Convertible As They Watch Large Screen Action Behind Rows Of Cars At A Drive-In Movie Theater

Old Photos Report

#50

Hershey Kisses Being Individually Hand-Wrapped, 1935

Hershey Kisses Being Individually Hand-Wrapped, 1935

Old Photos Report

Note: this post originally had 140 images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.