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There's something profoundly moving about objects that bear the marks of time and touch. Each groove in an ancient stone staircase tells the story of countless footsteps that came before us. Every smooth, worn handle has been shaped by thousands of human hands going about their daily lives. These images capture that quiet poetry of use—the physical dialogue between people and their surroundings that happens so gradually we rarely notice it happening.
From marble steps hollowed by centuries of pilgrims to wedding rings carving their place in a lever, these photographs reveal how time transforms everything it touches. They showcase not deterioration but evolution—the slow-motion collaboration between humans and their environment that leaves its signature on everything from door thresholds to wedding rings. These 46 remarkable photos remind us that wear isn't always about decay—sometimes it's about recording life itself.
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#1
For A Lot Of People, He Is A Good Boi
Senjo Krane 8 months ago
It's a statue representing a model north's italian family in the city of Trento. This is near a gigantic and wonderful monument of Dante Alighieri, near the main train station. According to Scatola the OP
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#2
The Way This Rolling Iron Gate Has Worn A Track Into The Bricks
#3
Stone On This Italian Castle Being Worn Down By 700 Years Of Rainfall Dripping Off The Roof Into The Exact Same Spot
#4
These Medieval Steps
#5
My Cutlery Used To Be Gold-Coloured But Has Turned Iridescent Over Time
#6
The Floor In Front Of The Register Has Worn Through All The Floors Since This Restaurant Opened In 1924
#7
The Bottom Of My Shoes Have Worn Down And Revealed Little Smiley Faces
#9
Mouse Still Works, The Owner Couldn't Figure Out Why I Was Snapping This Picture
#10
My Wife’s Baby Blanket That She Still Keeps Under Her Pillow. (TV Remote For Scale)
Jay Scales 8 months ago
I like to hold onto things, but even I think it's probably time to let this go....
#11
Same Boots 3 Years Apart
#13
Someone Said I Should Post This Here, So Enjoy!
#15
The Marble Steps Of The Leaning Tower Of Pisa, Well-Worn After Centuries Of Use
#16
My Dad’s Old Fire Helmet Beside His New One
#17
My Copy Editor Father's Collection Of Worn Down Pencils
LakotaWolf (she/her) 8 months ago
My mother saves pencils until they are stubby nubbins like this. It drives me insane XD It actually hurts my hand to try to write with them.
#19
My Building Installed A New Lock In April With A Very Secure Passcode
#20
My Dad Bought These Wallets 25yr Ago And Just Switched To The Second For Xmas
He bought three of these buffolo leather Coach wallets roughly 25 years ago. He's had the one on the right my entire life and just switched to the second one yesterday as an Xmas present to himself. Amazing how leather wears.
UKGrandad 8 months ago
I have had my wallet for 45 years and I've carried it in my rear-right trousers' pocket almost every day. The black leather has a beautiful patina, and the wallet has become curved to the exact shape of my buttock to the extent that I don't even feel it when it's in my pocket but notice instantly when it isn't. Sadly, the stitching has deteriorated to the point where I'm soon going to have to bite the bullet and buy a replacement, but it's going to be like losing an old friend.
Rafael 8 months ago
Maybe you either have a cobbler restore it (same overall leather stitching skills), or failing that, have someone remake it using the original parts. Will require some break in, but at least you can Ship-of-Theseus it back to life!
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Trophy Husband 8 months ago
I'm retired from public service, and I have a shield in my wallet. The wallet has a cutout for the shield, and it's custom to this exact shield so it would be very hard to replace if I couldn't find a place that does that exact thing. I bought it I want to say in 2005, and around 2018 the wallet was really wearing out because it's not the greatest quality, but I have to have one that meets this specific purpose. So I started looking around and I couldn't find anyone that made this exact wallet for this exact shield, except for the place I bought the original one from which was still selling yet. So I bought three more, I'm still on that second one and I'm estimating that they're going to last me until 20:57, assuming the same rate of wear on all of them. I'm not sure what I'll do then, I probably should have bought two more and then I'd be guaranteed to make it my whole life.
#21
The Old Floor Of A Pizza Place Reveals Itself In Front Of The Counter
#23
Queen's Guards Boots After A Year Of Public Duties At Buckingham Palace, St James' Palace, Tower Of London, Windsor Castle & Other Occasions
#24
500 Circulated $1 Bills Next To 500 Uncirculated $1 Bills
Michael Largey 8 months ago
The uncirculated ones can lie flatter due to their lack of c*****e residue.
#25
Worn-Out Top Of Playground Post Looks Like The Moon
#26
This Screwdriver That Has Been Worn Down From Years Of Scraping Grip Tape At A Skate Shop
#27
Worn Camshaft Sprocket From 1970 vs. Brand New
#28
The Steering Tiller On My Airplane Is Worn Because Of People’s Wedding Rings
Trophy Husband 8 months ago
People's? What he said " my airplane " I assumed he meant the airplane that he owns, but wouldn't that mean that he's the only pilot? I always assumed it really rich people aren't on here. I can't imagine Elon musk or Bill Gates talking about their private planes on Reddit or Ford Panda.
Binky Melnik 8 months ago
I assume he means “the plane I’m flying right now,” and not one he owns.
Load More Replies... #29
Worn Down Stairs From 1901
Senjo Krane 8 months ago
That looks downright dangerous. I can see me slipping and sliding on my a*s all the way down.
#30
The Sleeve For My Moms Work ID Before Today She Said She Hadn’t Taken It Out In 10+ Years
#31
ATM In China Shows The Fear Of 4
Trophy Husband 8 months ago
And as a security expert, this means that if I were in China I would use the number four in all of my pins.
LakotaWolf (she/her) 8 months ago
Explanation/clarification: the number 4 is considered "unlucky" in Chinese, especially in Cantonese-speaking areas, because the Cantonese pronunciation for the number 4 (pronounced "sì") is nearly homophonous (sounds almost exactly alike) to the word for "death" (pronounced "sǐ").
#32
My Grandfathers Belt (Left) Roommate Found The Exact Belt Almost New At A Thrift Store (Right)
Trophy Husband 8 months ago
Looks a lot like a scout belt that I own, but haven't worn in years.
#34
Well Worn Cat Scratcher (Featuring The Assailant Herself)
#35
My 2 Year Old Antenna Topper vs. New
Huddo's sister 8 months ago
What's an antenna topper? Is it just for amusement or serves a purpose?
LizzieBoredom 8 months ago (edited)
Good for watching 'The 6 O'clock News With Walter Cronkite'.
#36
The Paint On This Chocolate Shop's Door Is Worn Away Perfectly To Reveal All Of Its Previous Colors (Traverse City, Mi)
#37
Worn Down Brick On My Key Chain. (2 Years In Use)
#38
This Brushed Pylon Has Been Worn Into A Mirror From People’s Hands Rubbing It On The Way Down The Steps
#40
Same Brush Head 20 Years Apart. Definitely Owes Us Nothing
Charlie the Cat 8 months ago
Anyone remember this. The "Only Fools and Horses" quote about Trigger's broom: "There's an old saying, look after your broom. And your broom will look after you." Trigger then clarifies, "No Dave, just look after your broom." This quote highlights the character Trigger's dedication to his road sweeper's broom, even though it has had 17 new heads and 14 new handles over its 20 years of service.
#41
My Laptop’s Keyboard Cover After 6 Years Of Daily Use
Apologies if this is a common type of post but I found it fascinating to see what the most-worn letters are, and my favored spacebar-hitting spot. Also the poor command and arrow keys almost completely gone. Can you tell my handedness from this?
#43
This Fan Was Once Completely White. Only Some Parts Changed Over Time
Jay Scales 8 months ago
Yes! I have plastic appliances that look as if they belong in a smoker's palace!
#45
My Friends 1996 Purple Doc Marten Compared To A New Black Vegan One
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What do you think ?
LakotaWolf (she/her) 8 months ago
On the left-hand side is my stuffed German Shepherd, Chace, that I've had since I was 4. On the right-hand side is a photo of a "like new" version of the same plushie model that I bought on eBay a few years back :) The copy still even has the Dakin "collar tag"! I'm 43 now, so Chace is 39 years old! chace_and_...c14a13.jpg 
UKGrandad 8 months ago
I 'm glad to see it was a soft toy and not an actual stuffed German shepherd 🫡
Load More Replies... UKGrandad 8 months ago
"46 Fascinating New Photos That Show Things Word Down Over Time" May I suggest a title edit? The past tense of 'wear' is 'worn', not 'word'.
Serena Myers 8 months ago
The BP bot just picked your comment up, UKGrandad, the word is now worn, so to speak.
Load More Replies... LakotaWolf (she/her) 8 months ago
On the left-hand side is my stuffed German Shepherd, Chace, that I've had since I was 4. On the right-hand side is a photo of a "like new" version of the same plushie model that I bought on eBay a few years back :) The copy still even has the Dakin "collar tag"! I'm 43 now, so Chace is 39 years old! chace_and_...c14a13.jpg
UKGrandad 8 months ago
I 'm glad to see it was a soft toy and not an actual stuffed German shepherd 🫡
Load More Replies... UKGrandad 8 months ago
"46 Fascinating New Photos That Show Things Word Down Over Time" May I suggest a title edit? The past tense of 'wear' is 'worn', not 'word'.
Serena Myers 8 months ago
The BP bot just picked your comment up, UKGrandad, the word is now worn, so to speak.
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