A Collection of Incredible Rare Color Photographs of France in World War I
Serving in the French Army, photographer Fernand Cuville (1887–1927) continued the autochromists’ tradition of recording the world around them in great detail. These color photographs were taken by Cuville in 1917. His photos capture French soldiers in everyday situations, including cleaning their clothes and eating lunch. They also show war’s destruction in scenes of crumbling buildings and ruined landscapes. Continue reading »
Fabulous Photos Show Billy Idol’s Styles in the 1970s and ’80s
Born 1955 as William Michael Albert Broad, English musician, singer, songwriter and actor Billy Idol first achieved fame in the 1970s emerging from the London punk rock scene as the lead singer of the group Generation X. Subsequently, he embarked on a solo career which led to international recognition and made Idol a lead artist during the MTV-driven “Second British Invasion” in the United States. The name “Billy Idol” was inspired by a schoolteacher’s description of him as “idle”. Continue reading »
Incredible Color Photographs That Show What Life Was Really Like in Britain in the 1950s
Unemployment was very low in the 1950s and it was a long period of prosperity. In the early part of the decade, there was still rationing. However, food rationing ended in 1954. In the 1950s living standards in Britain rose considerably. In the late 1950s, Britain became an affluent society. By 1959 about two-thirds of British homes had a vacuum cleaner. However, even in 1960, only 44% of homes had a washing machine. Continue reading »
Spacelander was the Bicycle of the Future, 1946-1960
The Spacelander bicycle was designed by Benjamin Bowden for the 1946 exhibition Britain Can Make It. Originally known as the Classic, the streamlined design was said to represent what the bicycle of the future was supposed to look like. Continue reading »
Bizarre Pair of Shoes Called “Soles” Ardèche From the Late 19th Century
This footwear, called “Soles”, made in the Ardèche region of France in the 19th century. The soles are heavy duty shoes whose soles are studded with sharp blades. They were in wood for the sole, leather for the portion covering the foot and metal for the dents. Continue reading »
Once Upon A Time, You Could Ride a Train Right Through the Orange Groves in Southern California
“These cards seems to be part of an advertising campaign by the Southern California Tourist Agency. It probably isn’t, but it certainly highlights the attitude that people had about Southern California. Imagine, Easterners coming to Southern California for the first time and, as the train passes through the orange groves to get to Los Angeles, crowding the back platform of the last car to get a better look at the trees laden with fruit! Continue reading »
“We Were Once Alive”: 100-Year-Old Portraits from Rural Sweden by John Alinder
Sävasta, Altuna parish, 1910–20
From the 1910s to the 1930s, John Alinder portrayed the local people of rural Sweden, the landscape around them and their way of life. Alone, in pairs or in groups, the people stand facing the photographer’s camera. Continue reading »
1934 Peugeot 601 Eclipse, the First Automatic Retractable Hardtop for an Automobile
Fixed-roof cars of the early 20th century could feel claustrophobic. But convertibles of the time were often leaky, drafty, noisy, and insecure. The advanced solution came from Peugeot in 1934, with the introduction of the retractable hardtop on its luxurious 601. The self-storing roof structure automatically disappeared behind the passenger’s compartment into a space revealed by the reverse-opening rear deck in lieu of the trunk. Continue reading »
Humorous Comic Fat Lady Postcards by Donald McGill From the Early 20th Century
Donald McGill (January 28, 1875 – October 13, 1962) was an English graphic artist whose name has become synonymous with the genre of saucy postcards, particularly associated with the seaside (though they were sold throughout the UK). Continue reading »
The Wonder Of Illustrating Perpetual Movement in Space From A 1875 Astronomy Book
These illustrations come from the book Astronomy (published 1875) by Jean Pierre Rambosson (1827-1886). Continue reading »
Candid Photographs Captured Prostitution Scenes in Paris in 1966
Prostitution in Paris, both street prostitution and prostitution from dedicated facilities has a long history but also its own modernity in the French capital. Prostitutes are mostly women but also include transgender people and men. Continue reading »
Vintage Photos of Cars During Winter in the 1950s and ’60s
1950s and 1960s cars in Portland, Maine
1950s cars were some of the most classic, powerful and unsafe cars ever driven. The modern designs and acceleration abilities were getting more and more amazing every year. The auto industry was starting to experiment with a new concept called a “sports car.” By the end of the 50s, Americans fell in love with the sports car. After all, the 50s gave birth to the Corvette. Continue reading »
Artist Colorizes 50 Old Photos, And It Might Change The Way You Perceive History
Keeping memories alive can be done in many ways, but photographs are probably one of the most common ones. Photos capture a moment in history, memory and serve as a reminder of how it used to be. However, really old photographs are in black and white, so it’s often hard to relate to them and see yourself in that time. Continue reading »
This UFO Spaceship McDonald’s Used to Exist in Alconbury, England in the 1990s
For many kids, getting a McDonald’s on a long drive would be the ultimate treat. And if you grew up in or around Cambridgeshire in the 1990s, you’ll probably remember getting a Happy Meal at the spaceship McDonald’s just off the A1 at Alconbury, near Huntingdon. Continue reading »
Lamborghini Athon, an Amazing But Forgotten Concept Car From 1980
At the 58th Turin Motor Show, held in April 1980, Bertone introduced a new concept car based on a Lamborghini chassis – a slightly unusual choice, given that Lamborghini was in dire financial straits at the time. The press release from the Turin coachbuilder made it clear that Bertone wanted to support the company. The name Athon, referring to the Egyptian cult of the sun, was appropriate as the car was a spider, completely devoid of a top and intended as a fair-weather car. Continue reading »
Inspiring & Rare Color Photographs Of Everyday Life In Hong Kong From The Photographer Fan Ho
Here are rare and beautiful color photographs from Master photographer Fan Ho. We have seen a lot of his Black and White photographs, but in this collection, we are presenting his colorwork. Continue reading »
Gorgeous Illustrations From Prentzinger’s Celestial Atlas,1851
Astronomischen Bilderatlas von Ludwig Prentzinger (English: Prentzinger’s Atlas of Astronomy) was printed and published by William Nitzschke around 1851. The celestial atlas features 12 plates, five of which are perforated and backed with translucent coloured paper to allow planets, moon and more to be illuminated from behind. Continue reading »
The Earthquake Tower by Remco, ca. 1974
Billed as “the world’s largest playset” and standing a whopping five feet tall, the Remco Earthquake Tower was a mash-up of the biggest Hollywood hits of 1974: The Towering Inferno and Earthquake. Continue reading »
Funny Vintage Postcards Depict People Falling From Donkeys in Le Plessis-Robinson, France, ca. 1900
Le Plessis-Robinson is a commune in the southwestern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located 10.5 km (6.5 mi) from the center of Paris. It was first mentioned in 839 as Plessiacus apud Castanetum, meaning plessis near Castanetum. A plessis was a village surrounded by a fence made of branches. Continue reading »
Behind the Scenes Photographs From a 1950s Casting Call for a Long-Haired Model
Thomas McAvoy/The LIFE Picture Collection © Meredith Corporation
In 1959 Dallas photographer William Langley had a problem: he needed a long-haired model for a shoot—the woman’s hair needed to blow in the breeze. But no local agency had a model who could do the job. Their hair was all too short. Continue reading »
Breakfast in Bed: Extraordinary Color Photographs Revealed the First Class of Air France in the 1950s
Air France, in full Compagnie Nationale Air France, French international airline originally formed in 1933 and today serving all parts of the globe. With British Airways, it was the first to fly the supersonic Concorde. Headquarters are in Paris. Continue reading »
Beautiful Black & White Photographs of Children Playing in Barcelona in the 1970s
In 1972, Barcelona, Spain, wasn’t all strolls long La Rambla and sunbathing on Playa de La Barceloneta. Many parts of the city were poor, overcrowded and run down. Manel Armengol (born 29 October 1949, Badalona, Spain) was there. these are his picurs of that time, focusing on children playing and going about their days. Continue reading »
Homes of the Future: A Look Back at Charles Schridde’s Stunning ‘60s Ads For Motorola
Charles Schridde was born in 1926 and grew up in rural Illinois. He was an artist from an early age and received a scholarship to the Chicago Art Institute when he was age 17. Continue reading »
“Our Last Summer”: The Superb Collages of Maria Luiza Zanelato
Malu Zanelato is a visual artist living and working in Florianópolis, Brazil whose turn is to blast the screen with cut-and-paste vivacity and color. Continue reading »
Red, White, Blue and Awkward: 20 Hilarious 4th of July Family Photos From the 1980s and 1990s
Some people celebrate the Fourth with fireworks, others celebrate by taking the most awkward family photos of all time. Continue reading »
