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Rare Photos From History You Haven’t Seen Before

Published

5 years ago

March 25, 2020

The past holds so many cherished memories that are often lost with passing time. Looking back, it’s easy to forget about once-amazing things that simply made headlines, but were later lost amidst history. Moments that were still historic, nonetheless.

From pop culture to national and even international photos that trigger nostalgia, we’ve compiled some of the most captivating images that were lost after their era was long gone. Sit back and enjoy these iconic historical moment’s you probably never even knew happened.

Albert Einstein And His Friend

Can you imagine being friends with Albert Einstein? Local department store owner David Rothman didn’t have to! He practically rubbed elbows with the famed genius, even hanging out with him at the beach in 1939.

Now how did this odd duo cross paths in the first place? It was Einstein’s thick accent that brought them together. When he requested a pair of “sundahls” at the store, Rothman misheard it for “sundial.” Since then, they struck a friendship that even led to forming a band together.

A Boy Reading After A Heavy Bombing

This image of a boy reading despite last night’s heavy bombing cannot be more powerful. Photographed in 1940, the young man continued to enjoy his book even after the London bookshop was destroyed. The United Kingdom fell victim to the German army during World War II.

There were approximately 23,000 British civilians who died in civilian areas from July to December of that year. The citizens tried to continue with their lives even with the non-stop bombing raids. They hid underground then returned to their favorite places when it was safe enough.

Montparnasse Derailment In Paris

As cliché as this may sound, it really is better to be safe than sorry. When the Granville–Paris Express was already running late in 1895, the driver decided to accelerate the train just to make it to the station in time. By doing so, the air brake failed and the train ended up crashing through a wall.

The derailment resulted in one casualty and six injuries out of the 131 passengers. Though the majority survived, the driver still had to pay for the damage and life he had caused. He was fined 50 francs.

Infants Sleeping Outdoors In Moscow

At first glance, this photograph looks like a normal scene. When it starts to register though, you would realize how the infants were taking a nap in the open air! The picture was taken outside a maternity hospital in Moscow in 1958.

As it turned out, allowing babies to sleep outdoors was a common practice in Russia. It prepared them for the country’s harsh weather conditions. The mothers dressed their little ones in hats and stockings before putting them to bed at -10 degrees Celsius.

A Plane Crash Survivor

No teenage girl should ever experience this, but when she was 17, Juliane Koepcke was sucked out of an airplane after it was struck by a lightning bolt. The horrifying event took place in 1971, and miraculously, Koepcke survived the crash.

The poor teenager was still strapped to her seat when she fell somewhere in the Amazon Jungle. It took 11 days before forestry workers found her. Koepcke kept herself sustained those days with a bag of candy.

The Duke of York At the Wembley Exhibition

Despite being at a seemingly fun event in 1925, the Duke of York did not seem too pleased in the image. This was most likely because he was neither a perfect nor a lucky monarch. The duke, later to be called King George VI, used to have a terrible stammer.

He was able to get over his impediment through his speech therapist Lionel Logue. While he eventually became great at giving speeches, he and the rest of the royal family made sure to destroy and hide his previous ones.

New York Nurses Surprise A Father

Whether the new dad was being too dramatic or genuinely astounded, you would have to agree that becoming parents to triplets is not a joke. Imagine, you won’t only be looking after one baby, but all three at the same time! This amusing photo was taken in 1946 in New York.

Looking at the nurses, they appeared to be delighted and excited for the father. Their jobs could not have been easier back then especially without the existence of high-level equipment yet. Kudos to them!

Al Capone’s Free Soup Kitchen

While Al Capone was a notorious crime boss, he appeared to have had a soft spot for those who were less fortunate than him. He built the Chicago based shelter and food bank during the Great Depression. The soup kitchen gave unemployed and hungry people a free and warm meal.

It could have very well been a publicity stunt but those in need still received food. They were given free breakfast, lunch, and dinner during the cold winter months in Illinois.

The First Siemens Vacuum Cleaner

Keeping our houses has become easy with the help of home appliances. However, it had always not been easy, especially in the early 20th century. The first Siemens vacuum cleaner in Germany only became available in 1906.

It was this gigantic machine that adults had to haul around their living rooms. Siemens actually referred to the vacuum cleaner as “dedusting pumps.” They weighed about 660 pounds and had one horsepower. Today’s adults should be thankful that the current version is less heavier.

Workers Prune A Tree

Now, this is a dangerous activity that kids should never even consider trying at home. Only professionals like the men in this 19th-century photo can make trimming trees look like an easy job. In reality, though, they are putting their lives on the line.

Men pillaring the upper branches of trees to increase their fruitfulness and growth were a common sight back then. The big-time operation required a large team to do the pruning and one would have to be fearless of heights to be hired.

World Champion Wrestler Mildred Burke

Mildred Burke was only 18 years old when she was captivated by the world of wrestling. Legend says she convinced local wrestling promoter Billy Wolfe to train her by body-slamming one of his wrestlers.

The two spent a lot of time together training for her matches until they eventually fell in love and got married too. Burke won over 200 men and lost to one during her professional career in the ring. In the 1950s, she founded World Women’s Wrestling Associated.

Watchdog On Duty At Macy’s

A man’s best friend by day, a store owner’s security guard by night. That was how many dogs rolled back in 1954. Major shops like Macy’s in New York counted on these adorable pups to keep their merchandise safe. Owners slept without worries because they knew that the dogs would bark loudly if something happened.

The Doberman Pinschers and German Shepherds were particularly in demand at the time. As modern security systems entered the market, dogs spent more time at home. At present, though, they still lend their hands (or paws!) to the authorities.

An Unemployed Man During the Great Depression

We have learned a great deal about the Great Depression through our history classes and books. It was a devastating period for many in the workforce as the stock market crashed in 1929. So when we see a photo like this, we know that we can only imagine what Americans went through.

Lucky were those who earned a living during the Great Depression. Unfortunately for this man, he still had to search for a job. Since he knew that competition was tough, he had to up his game and catch the attention of possible employers.

Evening Near the Pyramids

After waiting for the sun to set, Ernest Ashton successfully took this vintage photo in 1897. His breathtaking shot captured the amazing view of the pyramids and depicted the beauty of the Middle East. This was not a small feat though since he had to rely on his own skills.

There were neither digital cameras nor Photoshop yet at the time. What Ashton did was manually highlight the contrasting light and shadow. This majestic image may only about five inches by seven inches in size, but it is a massive masterpiece.

A Jewish Boy In Warsaw

Much like Anne Frank, this Jewish kid had a childhood far from normal during World War II. He was among the thousands of kids who had to sacrifice their days of innocence at a young age. This photograph captured in 1943 shows how terrified he was as they surrendered in the Warsaw neighborhood overpowered by the Nazis.

The resistance groups had no choice when the Germans came with their tanks and flamethrowers. There were over 50,000 survivors who suffered at concentration camps and faced execution.

The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapses

Another unfortunate event that went down in history was the fall of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in Washington. Just four months after it was completed in 1940, the suspension bridge collapsed due to high winds. One survivor named Leonard Coatsworth shared his experience with the Tacoma News Tribune.

He said he tried to get back to the car and save his dog but he was too late. “I decided the bridge was breaking up and my only hope was to get back to shore,” Coatsworth said.

A Lion Sits In A Class

On a normal day, students are usually the ones who pay lions and other animals a visit at the zoo. In this case, though, it was a cub named Kyla who attended a class with the children in 1956. She was taken care of by Stuart Hansen and his wife at home in Kansas City.

The Garden City Telegram reported that Kyla gained a huge number of fans who would try to catch a glimpse of her at the Hansen residence. Due to the “traffic” it caused, they decided to allow the little lion to make appearances at the local schools instead.

A Female Lockheed Employee

Many life-altering events took place during World War II. One of those was women being allowed to work in industries that initially discriminated against them. Here, a female employee of Lockheed worked on a P-38 Lightning in California in 1944.

Lockheed was among the companies that hired women into their factories. It was their way to make up for the need to support the Allied cause in Europe. The aeronautics industry needed work and hardworking women were up to the challenge.

The Hindenburg Disaster

Tragedy struck in 1997 when “one of the worst catastrophes in the world” took place in New Jersey. The LZ 129 Hindenburg was about to drift at the Naval Air Station when it suddenly caught fire. Unfortunately, thirty-six people died from the incident.

There were a number of media members at the time since they were supposed to highlight the 804-foot-long German passenger airship. Instead, they witnessed a horrible event. The Hindenburg Disaster was one of the reasons why airships never boomed.

The World’s Oldest Tortoise

It’s already fascinating to find out that these two photos were taken 115 years apart, and even more so, to know that they feature the same Aldabra! Hatched in 1832, Jonathan is the world’s oldest tortoise. He was photographed first in 1902 and once again in 2017.

Can you believe he is now 189 years old? This legendary creature resides on the land of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. He has already beaten the life expectancy of a giant tortoise which is around 150 years, so he still has a chance to produce offspring.

Last Prisoners of Alcatraz

The Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary cemented its spot in history as a spectacular prison to remember. It was specially built for prisoners who brought problems in other facilities. Since it was strategically placed in the middle of the San Francisco Bay, the Alcatraz prison was considered escape-proof.

However, a 1962 attempt and the huge budget required to maintain it resulted in shutting it down. Alcatraz only operated from 1934 to 1963. The prisoners were transferred to several Federal prisons across the United States.

The World’s Tallest Man

In case you needed more inspiration to make a mark in this world, here’s Robert Wadlow who was recorded as the tallest person in human history. He was born in Alton, Illinois, and was given the nicknames “The Alton Giant” and “Giant of Illinois.” He stood 8 feet and 11 inches tall and lived from 1918 to 1940.

Wadlow was already laying sideways in this photograph but you can still see how long he was. In fact, the man sitting beside him was considered of average height but shrank when he sat beside him. Wadlow was the very definition of “legs of days.”

NYC Traffic Enforcer Helps A Cat

This New York City traffic enforcer right here took his job seriously. He was not only at the disposal of human pedestrians but adorable animals too. Even though his only task was to manage traffic and assist foot-travelers, he made sure to go beyond it.

The dedicated policeman helped a mama cat and her kitten cross the street. Photographer Harry Warnecke actually missed the initial crossing so he asked his subjects to recreate the scene. The result? This heartwarming photo.

Shoe Shiner Works On Boulevard Du Temple

When a shoe shiner and a customer in Paris started their day in 1839, they probably had no idea that they would become a part of a historic event. You see, these two ended up as the first known people to be photographed. French artist Louis Daguerre made this happen through the first mirror-image photograph.

This was such a breakthrough in photography since people used to only be depicted in other types of artworks such as paintings. For his contributions, Daguerre was regarded as one of the fathers of photography.

A Steelworker On the Empire State Building

Steelworkers ought to take the stage for doing a dangerous job such as this one. The man in the photograph obviously did not have any fear of heights. While we salute brave steelworkers like him, photographers like the one who captured this also deserve some applause.

According to Lewis Hine, it was no big deal as he was just doing his job. He achieved the extraordinary shot by standing in a designed basket that swung out 1,000 feet above Fifth Avenue. Talk about dedication!

The Vespa 150 TAP With Recoilless Rifle

Do not underestimate this mere scooter. It was actually used as a military weapon. The Vespa 150 TAP was upgraded so it could carry an M20 75 mm recoilless rifle. Military men then had the chance to take down enemies in style through the hole created in the left shield.

This Italian Vespa made for French paratroops became the ultimate anti-tank scooter. This bad boy weighed heavier than it looked. No one dared to cross this unless they were also prepared.

Teenage Princess Elizabeth

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has sat on the British throne for a long time now that it is easy to forget she was once a young lady, too. Back in 1940, she was just a 14-year-old girl known as Princess Elizabeth.

That same year, she did her first radio broadcast to address the children affected by the Blitzkrieg, “We are trying to do all we can to help our gallant sailors, soldiers, and airmen, and we are trying, too, to bear our share of the danger and sadness of war. We know, every one of us, that in the end, all will be well.”

Aircraft Crashes In Front of A Farmer

Just looking at this rare photo already sends chills down our spines. Imagine witnessing an aircraft crash in front of you! The poor boy was minding his own business on his farm when a pilot and an airplane falling down fast from the sky caught his attention.

Luckily for the pilot, he survived and sustained minor injuries only. He probably knew that the engine had already failed so he applied everything he knew about aeronautics to survive. It is also fascinating how the photographer was exactly there to capture the scene.

Jean Bugatti And the Bugatti Type 41

Car enthusiasts and collectors could recognize a Bugatti in a heartbeat. This colorized photograph features the Bugatti Type 41 Royale Esders Roadster alongside Jean Bugatti in 1932. The young automotive designer was proudly showing off one of his father Ettore’s coolest works.

Ettore Bugatti initially planned to sell the models to royal family members but it was a case of bad timing for him. The European royalty couldn’t afford to spend their wealth on the huge car during the Great Depression.

A Young Walt Disney

We have Walt Disney to thank for our awesome childhood filled with animated shows and movies. Once upon a time though, he was a starving artist and a struggling businessman. Disney, however, was already the cool and entertaining figure that we came to adore.

The legendary animator and producer transplanted himself in Hollywood in 1923. He moved to be with his brother Roy and to try and sell his reel film based on Alice in Wonderland. He eventually got his happy ending, which became a legacy.

Normandy Landings

History buffs may recall how the Normandy landings, also known as D-Day, took place in 1944. There were a total of 156,000 American, British and Canadian troops that stormed the beaches of Normandy, France that day. The three military forces made up the largest seaborne invasion in history.

This intense military assault liberated northern France from the Nazis, marking the beginning of the end of World War II. The following year, the war would be over by the same time.

A Man In Cincinnati’s Old Main Library

Bookworms and academics today would have never left this glorious library if it still existed today. The old public library located in Cincinnati stood strong from 1875 to 1955. Even Instagram users at present would have flocked to this place because of its spiral staircases, checkered marble floors, and a skylight that became its own natural filter.

Sadly for us who would like to catch a glimpse of it, the old Public library can now only be viewed in vintage photos. This classic building was unceremoniously demolished upon the construction of a newer building a few blocks away.

An Arctic Explorer Helps A Polar Bear

Just when you think you have seen it all, this incredible image of an arctic explorer helping a polar bear turns up. He was with his fellow Russian soldiers out on patrol when he came across these animals in need. Braving the -40 Fahrenheit weather, he decided to offer his condensed milk to the polar bear parent.

Apparently, this was a common gesture for Russian soldiers back then. They would open cans of condensed milk so the starving bears could feed their cubs and themselves.

Jimi Hendrix As A Paratrooper

Jimi Hendrix is best known as a legendary guitarist but he once trained as a paratrooper in the US army. In 1961, the future famous musician opted to join the military instead of serving time in prison for car theft.

Good decision. In a letter to his father during his military days, the 19-year-old Hendrix wrote, “There’s nothing but physical training and harassment here for two weeks, then when you go to jump school, that’s when you get hell. They work you to DEATH, fussing, and fighting.”

Hoover Dam Under Construction

One great salvation to emerge in America during the Great Depression was the Hoover Dam. Its five-year construction gave many unemployed Americans a way to finally earn at the time. By 1934, there were also 5,251 laborers involved in the project.

Hoover Dam cost $49 million— about $639 million in 2016 —to construct. The spot in n Black Canyon had been pegged as a place for a dam since the early 20th century. When Congress finally fave the green light, it was made in time for its dedication.

Sizes of the Donut Hole

Believe it or not, there were people in the past who took the business of doughnuts to the next level. They went as far as documenting the size of the donut hole throughout the years. When you come to think about it, it makes sense that this became a priority.

The real culprit behind these changes in holes were the donut machines. They began punching smaller because they did not need as much space to dry. Doughnut chains may have also come up with a standard size.

King George V And A Beggar

Queen Elizabeth II’s grandfather King George V ruled over England from 1910 until his death in 1936. His reign centered on dealing with World War I and leading the nation at the same time. It was a challenging time most especially for his subjects. In this photograph, a poor chap tried to follow His Majesty by foot to beg for some change.

Unfortunately, King George V and his friends could not be bothered to reach for the pockets. It is also worth noting how the late monarch kept his late-Victorian tastes despite the changes during the period.

Lady Bikers Pose For Photo

Forget horses and race cars. There are people who find much more thrill in riding a motorcycle. To these people, there is nothing more exhilarating than hitting the open road and letting the wind blow in your hair. The lady bikers in this photo were among those who enjoyed the company of a steel horse.

Taken in 1949 after America won the way, the country felt more alive than ever. The hope and faith in humanity were once again restored, and there was no better way to celebrate than riding until they ran out of road.

A Guy Hangs A Sign Board

No matter how much couples try to make it work, there are just marriages that are beyond repair. The end result is heading for divorce, which is nothing new. If you find yourself in a similar situation, you might want to take notes on how to celebrate, just like this guy in 1934 who creatively hung a “Just Divorced” poster on his car.

This might be equated to changing your Facebook relationship status at present. Whatever the guy had to go through, he obviously still found humor in everything that was happening in his life. Hopefully, he eventually managed to find the one.

Civil War Veteran And Shoe Shiners

One common job during the early 20th century was shoe shining. Young men with their boxes and rags would occupy every street and corner, waiting for a potential customer. Making shoes look as good as new was their way to earn a living.

When there were no customers though, they would gather around and listen to stories about the previous century’s major events. Pictured here in 1935, the young shoe shiners listened to the tales of the Civil War.

A Classic Hoover Ad

Numerous advertisements in the 20th century played a role in setting gender roles and stereotypes. This ’60s ad alone had insinuated that women unquestionably loved doing housework. Therefore, it was the perfect gift for their female consumers. Today’s climate is different.

It doesn’t matter anymore whether you are a man or a woman so long as you would appreciate a fine piece of home equipment as a present. Technically speaking, though, the creative elements of this publicity material probably helped sell this Hoover vacuum.

Miners Use An ‘Aerial Tram’

The Kimberly Diamond Mine began its operations in 1869. It became the diamond mining epicenter in the Northern Cape province. The miners had an unusual way of transportation down there. They rode an ‘aerial tram’ to descend the mine.

Now, how did the miners come up with this one-of-a-kind transit? By creating a series of railways into the dig site! Though the people there have already built an entire town around it, the mine was still shut down in 1914.

Steve McQueen Drives His Convertible

There is nothing quite like being behind the wheels of an extravagant ride. Steve McQueen was no stranger to driving fast cars since he owned a slew of them. The famous actor must have developed a fondness for them through his role in the 1968 film “Bullitt.”

This Jaguar F-Type Convertible, in particular, was a model that was most coveted. The handsome McQueen was photographed in 1963 as he drove the world’s first supercar in California. In his prime, he had his fair share of car troubles.

Men Protest Prohibition

What happened when the Prohibition took place in the United States? Many Americans naturally protested. They were being deprived of alcohol so they wanted their voices to be heard. From 1920 to 1933, the government banned the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages.

While Prohibition led to the reduction of overall alcohol consumption, it still wasn’t enough to pacify the people who just wanted a drink. As a result, those who were desperate got their alcohol fix from organized crimes for a higher price.

Barbara Walters In College

If you have kept up with the media industry then you have probably heard of Barbara Walters. She was widely regarded as one of the top-tier journalists of the 20th century. Before climbing the ladder in the news world though, she was just a college student studying English at Sarah Lawrence College in New York.

Walters started out an advertising agency then made her way at a local NBC affiliate. She produced programs at NBC and CBS and then landed a career-changing job at “The Today Show.”

The Maryland House

Does this spine-tingling house look familiar? That’s because it was the inspiration for the classic 1999 film The Blair Witch Project. It’s totally understandable if you have never seen it because it is regarded as one of the scariest movies of the decade.

This iconic house is nestled in Burkittsville, Maryland. Even the filmmakers got the creeps from scouting it. Rumor has it that there is a terrifying figure that roams around the woods at night. Not to mention, the “Spooky Hill” area nearby is allegedly haunted by Civil War-era ghosts.

Albert Einstein Wears Fuzzy Slippers

After everything that has already been said about Albert Einstein, it is about time we put his sense of fashion in the spotlight. As one of the smartest human beings to ever live, he basically got a free pass at his sartorial choices. He chose not to waste brainpower on his daily outfits but this pair of fuzzy slippers said otherwise.

Einstein was photographed here back in the 1950s. The fancy footwear probably helped calm his mind and focus on more important things in life— you know, important topics such as the theory of relativity.

Painters On the Woolworth Building

Aside from photographers and steelworkers, painters also put their lives on the line when doing their job on top of skyscrapers. They don’t seem to mind the risks as long as they are able to improve the exterior of the structure such as the Woolworth Building in the picture.

In 1926, this painting crew did not bother themselves with the stomach-churning heights. They kept their eyes on the prize, which was making the New York City skyscraper more aesthetically pleasing. All they had to do was trust their harness and their workmates.

Marilyn Monroe Relaxes At Home

Blonde beauty Marilyn Monroe has a lot of photos out there but this one’s quite unique since it was taken at her very own home. This photo, captured in 1951, is a sweet reminder that famous stars are still humans at the end of the day. Monroe’s breakthrough on the silver screen was through the 1950 film The Asphalt Jungle.

She also appeared in other movies including “As Young As You Feel,” “Home Town Story,” and Love Nest. The Hollywood actress turned out to be actually just getting started with these projects.

Rabbit Tail From the Shoshone Tribe

The Shoshone tribe were among those who lost their homes when the European-American settlers migrated to the United States in the late 19th century. Though they were displaced in Idaho and Wyoming, the Shoshone tribe still lent their hands to the US during the Battle of the Rosebud in 1878.

Pictured above in 1895 is Rabbit-Tail, who was employed as an Army Scout. Together with other Shoshone tribe members, he specialized in tailing horse tracks and identifying military group intel.

Engineers At A DEC Customer Site

The ’70s was a remarkable decade for fashion as it introduced elaborate clothes and accessories as well as unique haircuts. Every job sector got the memo and employees dressed up in accordance with the trend. Look at, for example, these engineers who wore striped pants, wide ties, and chunky shoes to work.

They also had a strange hairstyle going, which was very trendy at the time. The engineers were busy at a Digital Equipment Corporations customer site on a Programmed Data Processor computer in California in 1971.

Alfred Hitchcock And His Grandkids

As the master of terror, Alfred Hitchcock gave film fans the impression that he was a serious type. However, this photo captured in 1960 is proof that he was actually the opposite when the cameras were not rolling. The renowned filmmaker loved having fun with his grandkids.

Hitchcock’s grandchild, Carrubba, once revealed that her grandpa always found time to hang out with them. However, when he was not taking a sleigh ride with them, he was taking trips to Scotts Valley just to get away.

Hollywood’s Best

This vintage photo, without a doubt, couldn’t be more iconic. Taken in 1975, it features Bob Hope, John Wayne, Ronald Reagan, Dean Martin, and Frank Sinatra. The star-studded group was in attendance for then California’s Governor Reagan’s coming-out party.

Though he was slated to become the future President of the United States, that did not stop his equally-famous friends from throwing jokes at him. Reagan was also often compared to Richard Nixon, who already lost his popularity at the time.

Moonshiners Wear Cow Shoes

Some may consider bootleggers as the real heroes during Prohibition. After all, they were the ones that risked their freedom and lives to provide for those who badly wanted a drink. In order to throw the police off their scent as they produced their illegal liquor, these moonshiners came up with a strategy to hide their identity.

They decided to wear pairs of “cow shoes,” which were both fashionable and functional. Their footprints turned into hoof prints, thanks to the pieces of wood that were fixed to the bottoms of their shoes.

The Voices of “Peanuts” Characters

Did you enjoy watching “Peanuts” as a child? The animated show was on the air in the 1960s, with the beloved characters voiced by actual children themselves. Todd Barbee was one of the kid actors chosen by “Peanuts” creator Charles Schultz.

Barbee told the Huffington Post once that an adult may have filled in for him in one scene, “One time they wanted me to voice that ‘AAAAAAARRRRRGGGGG’… Try as I might, I just couldn’t generate… so after something like 25 takes, we moved on.”

A Man From Fiji

Europeans first came across the beautiful island country of Fiji during the 18th century. Located in Melanesia, Fiji entered into trade with Europe through sea cucumbers and sandalwood. They also have a vast amount of sugarcane.

Since it is an island country, the people of Fiji also became known as the best canoe builders in the South Pacific. The British unfortunately colonized them from 1895 to 1970. Photographed in 1895 was a Fiji man who seemed reluctant to pose for the camera.

Governor Bill Clinton’s Cat

Do you remember Socks the cat? He was the “first pet” of the White House in the ’90s. This purry fried adopted by then-Governor Bill Clinton stole the spotlight during the 1992 presidential race. Paparazzi would make the same effort just to get a photo of him.

As the First Pet, Socks had arguably a better and comfier life compared to others. He had his own video game and got featured on the children’s version of the White House website. Sadly for him, the Republicans were not his biggest fans.

A Woman Tries the Chairlift

How delightful is this woman sitting on the chairlift in Jackson, Wyoming in 1955? An upgrade compared to an ore bucket, this chairlift on Snow King was the first one to be installed in the state. It was done with the help of an Army pickup truck.

The wheels were used to drive the ropes. By 1955, the lift could already move 200 chairs per hour. It was even taken up a notch three years later by making it a double chair line.

A Graveyard For Phone Booths

It would be hard – both for residents and tourists – to imagine the United Kingdom without its red telephone boxes. They have become a huge part of the nation’s identity all this time. Apparently, these iconic booths eventually retire and get sent to storage spaces in English small villages.

Instead of dumpsites, some of these red telephone boxes are lucky enough to find themselves in the phone box cemetery (yup!) in Carlton Miniott. They may appear creepy but there are artists who actually pick them up and recycle them.

Legendary Abolitionist Harriet Tubman

A well-respected abolitionist and political activist, Harriet Tubman escaped slavery from Maryland in 1849. She then dedicated her time and energy to free hundreds of more people from slavery and the plantation system.

In her heyday, she worked as a cook and nurse for the Union Army as well as spied for the North during the war. Here, she was photographed in 1911 during her later years. She spent her final days surrounded by her loved ones. She may have been long gone, but her legacy lives on.

Mount St. Helens Erupts

Back in 1980, the Mount St. Helens in Washington erupted and caused destruction worth nearly $1.1 billion. The explosive event did not come much as a surprise since there were already a series of earthquakes two months before it happened.

Given that St. Helens was also spewing steam, the people knew that it was just a matter of when. St. Helens’ eruption resulted in the largest rockslide in history. It was triggered by a magnitude 5.1 earthquake that came directly from beneath the mountain.

An 18 year-old Madonna

Hailed as the Queen of Pop, Madonna attended college at the University of Michigan. She was not your average student. She took classes while also studying dance. The music legend decided to leave the uni life after two years and moved to New York City in 1978.

Madonna pursued dancing in the Big Apple, even enrolling in classes at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. In just four years, she would skyrocket to fame and the rest would become history.

An Overhead Cradle On A Plane

It’s no secret that flights can be a bit of a challenge when there are babies on board. They have the tendency to cause unwanted noise from their cries, that’s why they are the least favorite co-passenger of some. In the 1950s, the overhead cradle was used as a solution to this problem.

It served as a compartment for the babies to sleep in. These “sky cots” eventually ceased to exist. It could have been due to overhead luggage or turbulence. It’s also not clear whether it truly made the parents’ lives easier or not.

A Young Dr. Seuss With His Dog

Born Theodore Geisel, Dr. Seuss spent his childhood in Springfield, Massachusetts with his family. His father worked in their brewery but they had to shut it down during the Prohibition. The young Dr. Seuss found himself at the local zoo when he wasn’t assisting his dad.

He used to sketch the animals, which was most likely how they became a part of the doctor’s later work. Seuss was his mother’s maiden name. He was also close to his mom and his sister.

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