ADVERTISEMENT

100 years from now, space travel might be as common as hopping on a plane. Maybe self-driving cities will be a thing, or AI will be running entire businesses. Who knows, we might even have vacations on Mars! While we can only guess what the future holds a century from now, we don’t have to wonder about what life looked like 100 years ago.

Today, the Bored Panda team scoured the internet to uncover some fascinating photos from 100 to 110 years ago. These snapshots capture moments from a completely different era, giving us a glimpse into the world as it once was. Keep scrolling to see a stunning collection of old photos that might just make you appreciate how much (or how little) has changed!

RELATED:
    #3

    My Grandmother And Her Brother In Their Hometown, Langensalza, Thuringia, Germany. C. 1924

    Two children from 100 years ago, a boy with a toy and a girl with a large bow, showcasing how the world has changed.

    MisterMcFlyXXVI Report

    We’ve all heard the saying “Change is the only constant,” and in today’s fast-moving world, that couldn’t be more true. One day, you have the latest phone, and the next, it’s outdated. A gadget that seemed revolutionary just a few years ago is now collecting dust in a drawer. With new technology, trends, and innovations shaping our lives at lightning speed, it makes you wonder—just how different was life 100 years ago?  

    To gain firsthand perspective, Bored Panda spoke with Kiran Devi Pincha, a 90-year-old great-grandmother from India who has lived through nearly a century of change. She has seen four generations grow up before her eyes and has experienced more transformations in one lifetime than most of us can imagine. She shared her thoughts on how much the world has evolved.

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #5

    My Grandparents, About To Embark On A Trip After Their Wedding - Riga, Latvia, 1922

    A couple from 50-100 years ago, woman in a hat and scarf, man in a suit and tie, illustrating rare historical change.

    JoelAK Report

    #6

    My Great-Grandfather Circa 1920’s

    Dapper man in early 1900s attire with a cane, showcasing rare historical fashion from a century ago.

    This dapper lad was a Baker who eloped to Australia with a few £ in his pocket and made a life for himself baking bread.

    dyslexicmikld Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ThatCrazyChick
    Community Member
    11 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    He's handsome and he can cook? 😍😍😍 Your great-grandmother was one lucky woman.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    She smiles and says, "When I look around today, I can hardly believe how much things have changed. It feels like I’ve lived in two completely different worlds—one where everything was slow and simple, and another where everything moves at the speed of light. Sometimes, I wonder if I was meant to be born in this era instead!"

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #8

    My Great Grandpa Wearing His Grandfather's Armor Circa 1920

    A rare historical photo shows a samurai in traditional armor, illustrating how much the world has changed.

    Burkinator_ Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Bonnie Blue Bird
    Community Member
    11 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Would love to know more about his grandfather. Bet he had some stories to tell.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    "Growing up, things were so different," she continues. "We didn’t have fancy gadgets, we didn’t have screens to stare at all day, and we definitely didn’t have food being delivered to our doorstep in 10 minutes. If we wanted something, we had to go out and get it ourselves."

    "Families spent more time together because there was no other distraction, no phones, no television, no internet. People lived in the moment, and life had a certain charm to it."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #11

    My Great Grandma, Probably At Coney Island (Ca. 1920's)

    A woman in vintage attire sitting on a crescent moon prop, showcasing how the world has changed over 50-100 years.

    MCofPort Report

    #12

    Wedding, 1920s

    Rare vintage wedding photo showing bride and bridesmaids in elegant dresses from 50-100 years ago.

    Vintage Everyday Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Blue Bunny of Happiness
    Community Member
    9 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Reminds me of photos of my Great Aunts wedding. I was always amazed at the size of the bouquets back then! As a child they reminded me of a massive hanging basket.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Speaking about technology, she recalls, "I still remember the first time I saw a car up close. It felt like seeing magic. And now, I see electric cars that drive themselves! When I was young, having a landline phone in the house was a big deal, and computers were something only big offices had. Now, even little children carry smartphones. It’s like living in the future I never imagined!"

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #14

    Farm In Kurrawaara Sweden 1920s - Drying Meat On The Roof

    A rare vintage photo of a family in traditional attire standing by a wooden house with their dog.

    saamiblog Report

    #15

    African American Girl Of The 1920s

    A woman in a vintage dress, showcasing 1920s fashion, smiles with arms slightly raised, highlighting how much the world has changed.

    Vintage Everyday Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    ThatCrazyChick
    Community Member
    11 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful lady, gorgeous dress! She looks like was the life of the party.

    View more commentsArrow down menu

    Technology has changed things in ways she never expected. "My great-grandkids post me on social media sometimes, and they tell me that thousands of people see my pictures and videos. I laugh because I don’t understand it at all. In my time, if someone wanted to see you, they had to actually come visit you. Now, they can just send a message or watch a video, and it feels like they’re with you even when they’re not."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #16

    My Grandfather, Part Of An Amateur Theater-Troupe, In 1924

    Man in formal attire with top hat, posing outdoors, exemplifying how the world has changed over decades.

    7evenstar Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Stephen Wild
    Community Member
    7 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    My guess is that he was playing the Artful Dodger in some version of Oliver Twist...

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #17

    My Great Grandmother, Age 20, August 1920. The Gloves. The Coat. The Hat

    Vintage photo of a woman from 100 years ago wearing an ornate hat and coat, showcasing early 20th-century fashion.

    SewSewBlue Report

    #18

    My Great Grandfather And His Best Friend In 1920. They Met And Fought Together In Wwi, And Their Eldest Children Married Each Other

    Two men in early 20th-century military uniforms stand by a stool, exemplifying historical world changes.

    senkidala Report

    She also speaks about how much gender equality has evolved. "In my time, women had very limited choices. They were expected to get married, take care of the house, and that was it. Education for girls wasn’t a priority, and working outside the home was rare. We didn’t question it because that was just how things were. But I always wished for more, for myself and for the girls of the future."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #19

    My Wife's Grandmother (Center) With Her Sisters, 1925

    Three children smiling, dressed in vintage clothing, posing in front of an old building, illustrating rare photos from the past.

    Yoojay Report

    "Now, I feel proud when I see women leading businesses, running countries, and chasing their dreams. Women today have so many opportunities, and they’re using them well. My great-granddaughters have big dreams, and they don’t think twice about going after them. It makes me happy to see that the world has changed for them in a way that it never did for me."

    ADVERTISEMENT
    #23

    My Great Grandfather Looking Out Over The Lake On His Estate In What Is Now Belarus Sometime Between 1920 And 1930

    Man with vintage attire and dog standing by a lake, showcasing rare scenes from the past.

    He eventually became a victim of Stalin's regime. According to my grandmother, he buried a chest full of valuables on this land before the Soviets came. It's never been found.

    Edit_Red Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Ambrosius
    Community Member
    12 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Beautiful photo! ❤️ It always amazes me how people in the past dressed nicely even for a casual walk with the dog.

    #24

    My Great Grandfather, Battle In 1920. Charlottesville, Va

    Man sitting, captured in a rare photo from 50-100 years ago, illustrating how much the world has changed.

    East_Car_3168 Report

    "Looking back, I feel lucky to have seen the world change in so many ways. Some things are better, some things I miss, but it’s been an amazing journey. The only thing I hope never changes is the love families have for each other. Everything else will keep evolving, but love is something that should always stay the same."

    #25

    My Great Grandmother And My Grandfather 1925 In The French Caribbean

    Vintage photo of a woman and child from 50-100 years ago, illustrating changes in the world over time.

    wooddrasill Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    13 hours ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She's quite lovely. Edit: Oops! French Caribbean. Elle est tellement belle.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #26

    Sylvia Hammerling - Taken At Mercunda, S.a. - 10 June 1920

    A rare photo of a young girl in a white dress, surrounded by lambs, from 50-100 years ago.

    Aussie~mobs Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    JoNo
    Community Member
    12 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    S.A. stands for South Australia, a state of Australia. I looked at Google Maps to find out where Mercunda is, as I live in the capital of Adelaide, to discover it's 2 hours away but is now only a locality.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda

    Well, one thing is for sure—100 years ago, the world was a completely different place. Hearing stories from someone who has lived through these changes makes us realize how much has transformed in such a short time. Which of these posts made you nostalgic or made you appreciate the present? Let us know!

    #28

    My Great-Great-Grandparents With Six Of Their Eight Children At Their Farm In Uppsälje, Sweden Ca 1925

    Vintage group photo from 50-100 years ago, showing family members in traditional attire, illustrating historical change.

    affecoffee Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Motivated sloth
    Community Member
    3 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    I wonder how old this woman was when she had her youngest. Looks like she lived a lot of hard (but no doubt happy) years

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #29

    My Great Grandparents Wedding In 1924. Would Love If Someone Could Remove The Crease In The Middle!

    Vintage wedding photo from 1920s; bride in veil and groom in suit, highlighting how the world has changed.

    _dercrimedog Report

    #31

    My Grandmother, Born In Havana, Cuba 1924, Walking Home From Work Circa 1944 In Greensburg Pa

    A person in vintage attire walking on a railway track surrounded by trees, highlighting rare photos from 50-100 years ago.

    dsiegel2275 Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Multa Nocte
    Community Member
    13 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She must have known the time tables of the local trains fairly well.

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #33

    Fabulous Lady, 1920s

    Vintage photo of a smiling woman holding playing cards, illustrating historical changes over 50 years.

    Vintage Everyday Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sarah Suelzle
    Community Member
    6 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    She's so lovely -- look at her dimples !! 😊😍 Is it just me or do not as many people have dimples anymore?

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #34

    My Great Great Grandfather, Circa 1920

    Elderly man in vintage attire seated on rocks, showcasing rare photos from the past century.

    Father of 12 children, was in his late 70's early 80's in the photo. Worked harvesting flax to mill into fibre to make rope.

    Leaping_FIsh Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    Sarah Bailey
    Community Member
    2 hours ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

    Salt of the Earth kinda fella here. Looks like he would have been a great hugger!

    View more commentsArrow down menu
    #36

    Check Out My Great Grandfather Circa 1920- Yesterday Would Have Been His 107th Birthday!

    Vintage photo of a man with a pipe beside an old telescope on a balcony, illustrating historical changes.

    de_1337_ed Report

    #38

    Ottoman Empire: My Great-Great-Grandfather, Died During The Last Pandemic Around 1920. Notice The Yatagan (Daggers) In His Belt

    Two people in traditional attire, woman holding a jug on head, embodying rare historical fashion from decades past.

    man_in_silver Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #39

    My Second Great Grandparents And My Great Grandmother, Circa 1920 Eastern Europe, Transylvania

    Vintage family portrait showcasing traditional attire, illustrating how much the world has changed over time.

    Katalanpult Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #40

    Basketball, 1921. My Great Uncle Sitting Down On The Far Left

    Vintage basketball team portrait, players in 1920s attire, showcasing historical change.

    AlainasBoyfriend Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #41

    Handwritten Note On The Back Of This Snapshot: "This Is Me & My Flock Of 1921 Turkeys. Just Part Of The Flock." Location Unknown

    A person in a field with turkeys, highlighting changes over the past 50-100 years.

    reddit.com Report

    #42

    My Grandfather As A Toddler, In About 1922. He Would Later Go On To Fight In The South Pacific In Ww2, Raise A Large Family, And Live Into His Nineties

    Young child from decades ago holding a teddy bear, standing in front of an old wooden house, illustrating historical change.

    Gr4ph0n Report

    #44

    Champion Butter Fat Test Cow Tulip Of Morden, Queensland Times, 13 August 1926

    Man with a cow in a vintage setting, showcasing how much the world has changed over the years.

    Queensland State Archives Report

    ADVERTISEMENT
    See Also on Bored Panda
    #48

    My Twice Great Grandmother (Left) And Her Sister Posing In Front Of Their Brand New Model T. (Michigan 1920)

    Two women in vintage dresses posing with an old car, showcasing how much the world has changed over decades.

    a_complex_kid Report

    Add photo comments
    POST
    #49

    My Great-Grandfather At The Cawston Ostrich Farm In South Pasadena, California, Ca 1920

    Man riding an ostrich in rare photo from past, showcasing historical lifestyle changes.

    casselhag Report

    #50

    Woman With Fox Cubs At Woodland Park Zoo, Circa 1920s

    Woman holding foxes, smiling as a man stands behind. Rare historical photo showing change over 50-100 years.

    Seattle Municipal Archives Report

    Note: this post originally had 110images. It’s been shortened to the top 50 images based on user votes.

    Ic_polls

    Poll Question

    If you could choose, would you prefer to explore the past or the future?

    Travel back 100 years

    Explore 100 years into the future

    Live in the present only

    Indifferent to time travel