Join the Fun!

#2

Same Car, Same Guys, 50 Years Later

Final score:

391points

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unfilteredCigarette73 7 months ago

One dude looks a hell of a lot like a young Paul Neumann/Brando

78points

Talking to Bored Panda about historical pictures, professor, writer, and amateur homesteader Joshua Wilkey said "I think photography can be an essential and powerful tool for understanding history, but I [also] think it is also necessary to view all photographs with a critical eye."

"While we might be accustomed to skepticism of photos in the age of Photoshop, photo editing isn't the only thing that should give us pause."

#3

1967 || 2019 Same Bike , Same Couple , 52 Years Later . Image Source : Zhangzhesheng

Final score:

352points

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ShyWahine 7 months ago

Awww, they look darling as ever!

80points

#4

" Dog And Cat In Paris ", C.1950 . Photo By Annick Gérardin

Final score:

343points

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BlackCatWithWhiteSocks 7 months ago

Neighbourhood watch

85points

#5

These Progressive High School Girls Learn The Finer Points Of Auto Mechanics In 1927

Final score:

286points

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EarthGrowl 7 months ago

Yet, in 1989, my high school principal wouldn't let me take automechanics because I was a girl.

170points

The historian provided a few very helpful questions we can ask ourselves when analyzing such images. The first one: is the photo lacking context? Or what is happening outside of the frame?

"There's always the chance that the viewer is seeing an intentionally skewed perspective," Wilkey highlighted. "A picture might be worth a thousand words, but sometimes it takes a thousand words to explain the context of a single photo.

As avid Bored Panda readers probably know, pictures can be very strange without context.

#6

Mailman N. Sorenson Poses With His Heavy Load Of Christmas Mail And Parcels, Chicago, 1929

Final score:

269points

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ShyWahine 7 months ago

And he still manages a cheery smile - despite a heavy load and freezing temps

101points

#7

Animals Being Used As Part Of Medical Therapy , 1956 🤍 Three-Year-Old Peggy Kennedy Enjoyed These Ducklings Paddling Around In A Tub. Peggy, A Polio Patient, Wore A Plastic Chest Respirator

Final score:

268points

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Marie Clear 7 months ago

Hey, at least today's anti-vaxxer kids will have some cute ducks to look forward to!

173points

#8

Two Women Showing Uncovered Legs In The Public Place For The First Time, Toronto, 1937

Final score:

255points

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Xray0976 7 months ago

Bro is about to meet the hydrant AND the pavement!

361points

#9

In The 1800s , Pit Bulls Were Often Called "Nanny Dogs" Because Of The Protective Behavior They Exhibit Around Children

Pitbulls are great. Even though many people believe that the dogs are hellacious fighters, however in the 19th century these little pups were believed to be the perfect babysitters because of how clingy they get when they’re around children. Not only are the dogs protective over the children in their charge, but they’re very loyal and stable if they’re raised well.

“Nanny dogs” were placed with children once they were old enough to be comfortable around dogs, which had to be great for any victorian boy or girl, who doesn’t want a dog? The two dogs in this photo look like good boys, they deserve a treat.

Final score:

255points

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Jorge Gonzalez 7 months ago

Problem is idiot criminals have kept breeding them to be more aggressive to use in dogfighting or to have a "macho" dog. So nowadays there are some Pitbulls that are to unstable to even train properly

174points

The second question: is the photo representative? In other words, can the photo indicate something bigger than itself?

"For example, the internet has, for years, made fun of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un for marveling at seemingly cool but likely fake things like modern and well-stocked grocery stores," Wilkey added. "These photos are meant to be representative images portraying for Kim's people and for foreigners that North Korea is a modern and well-nourished society. [But] the reality is a bit different."

#10

To Win A Bet In 1956 , Thomas Fitzpatrick Stole A Small Plane From New Jersey And Landed It Perfectly On A Narrow Manhattan Street While Drunk, In Front Of The Bar He Had Been Drinking At. Two Years Later, He Did It Again After A Man Didn't Believe He Had Done It The First Time

To Win A Bet In 1956 , Thomas Fitzpatrick Stole A Small Plane From New Jersey And Landed It Perfectly On A Narrow Manhattan Street While Drunk, In Front Of The Bar He Had Been Drinking At. Two Years Later, He Did It Again After A Man Didn't Believe He Had Done It The First Time

Final score:

242points

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unfilteredCigarette73 7 months ago

True American Hero right there

52points

#11

An Open Air School In 1957, Netherlands

The photograph was taken in 1957 in the Netherlands where open air schools were quite popular at the time. The idea of an al fresco classroom should be a very obvious one if the weather permits it, but unfortunately, most traditional western schools these days don’t put much emphasis on the benefits of learning outside of four walls.

Final score:

237points

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Bored Fox 7 months ago (edited)

IMO this should be mandatory for at least few times a week. I loved being outside in the woods and learning something at the same time. Art class by the lake was my favorite memory!

83points

#12

Berlin 1960s. Residents Of West Berlin Show Their Children To Their Grandparents Living In East Berlin , 1961

Final score:

231points

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ShyWahine 7 months ago (edited)

Those grandparent's hearts must've melted - yearning to embrace those bundles of joy...

97points

#13

Two Members Of The Bertram Mills Circus Walk Head-To-Head At Hammersmith Broadway In London 1953

Final score:

228points

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 7 months ago

Technically, only one is walking.

85points

While these concepts can apply to virtually any photograph, they become vital when we're viewing one as evidence.

"They are important for historical photographs because of the power and usefulness of photography in political propaganda."

North Korea is a great example of a regime that uses photography for propaganda, but Wilkey said that the Soviet Union and the US were well versed in the subject too, particularly during the Cold War and the Space Race.

#14

Not Something Seen Every Day This Must Be "Take Your Donkey To Work Day " Amusing Life Magazine Back Page Photo!

Final score:

223points

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Abe Ja 7 months ago

That is a tiny a*s

132points

#15

A Young Man Demonstrating Against Low Pay For Teachers, Ca. 1930. “I Left School To Earn $21 A Week. My Teacher’s Pay Is $17.78 A Week.” Photographer Paul Thompson

Final score:

208points

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Blackheart 7 months ago

Teacher here. Um, sir, I need to borrow that sign.

12points

#16

A Drunken Man Placed In A Basket And Carried Away, Istanbul, 1960s

Basket men were hired and their sole purpose was to take patrons home when they were too drunk to stand up

Final score:

196points

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Tayler 7 months ago (edited)

The first "basket case."

147points

#17

An Ostrich Carriage Being Stopped By The Police For Crossing Speed Limit . Los Angeles Around 1930

Final score:

193points

POST

Tayler 7 months ago

Ostrich power faster than horsepower.

63points

"Another good example of government using photography to achieve a political end was the Farm Service Administration's use of photography to document the impact of the Great Depression as a means of garnering support for the New Deal," Wilkey then said.

"Roosevelt's opponents argued it was political propaganda, while his proponents argued it was an accurate depiction of what was happening. Ultimately, most scholars have concluded that, while it accomplished political ends, it was indeed an accurate portrayal of reality."

#18

Here's A Camouflaged Road In Finland During Ww2 , The Trees Were Hung Up With Rope So The Russians Couldn't See The Road ( 1941 )

Final score:

185points

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Maisey Myles 7 months ago

That took a lot of work!

59points

#19

Abandoned Baby Sleeping In Desk Drawer At Los Angeles Police Station , ( 1971 ) Policewoman Pat Johnson , 28, Tends A Baby Girl , About 9 Months Old, Who Was Found Alone And Crying In A Downtown Hotel Room In Los Angeles , California

Abandoned Baby Sleeping In Desk Drawer At Los Angeles Police Station , ( 1971 ) Policewoman Pat Johnson , 28, Tends A Baby Girl , About 9 Months Old, Who Was Found Alone And Crying In A Downtown Hotel Room In Los Angeles , California

Baby was placed in file drawer for a nap after she was fed milk, Jell-O and cottage cheese. She later was taken to a foster home. The hotel manager called police after receiving complaints that the baby had been crying for hours .
The photo of the sleeping baby was taken by Times staff photographer Cal Montney on July 8, 1971.
In 2006 , the Safely Surrendered Baby Law took effect in California.

Final score:

174points

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Mrs Irish Mom 7 months ago

Milk, jello and cottage cheese, wtf

60points

#20

A Time Long Gone... (Photo From The 1980s)

Final score:

171points

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DRMAGDN 7 months ago

Plot twist: they are talking to each other

9points

#21

How Friends Were Deleted In 1859

Final score:

171points

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La Lucy 7 months ago

Worked well until the late 1990s too!

106points

#22

“ No Dog Biscuits Today ”, London , 1939

Final score:

168points

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Oluwafemi Komolafe 7 months ago

The look on the dog's face.

131points

#23

Caught In The Rain In The Ginza District, Tokyo, Japan, 1969

Final score:

166points

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BLONDTROBL 7 months ago

Cute.

31points

#24

Brothel Candles. At Some Of The Lesser Brothels , This Box Of Match Candles Are Used By Women As A Timer . A Man Can Pay His Dues And Then Light The Candle . Once The Candle Goes Out , The Session Is Over

Brothel Candles. At Some Of The Lesser Brothels , This Box Of Match Candles Are Used By Women As A Timer . A Man Can Pay His Dues And Then Light The Candle . Once The Candle Goes Out , The Session Is Over

Final score:

166points

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PFD 7 months ago

This is a thoroughly debunked myth. They're just pocket candles (think "phone flashlight"). Sometimes there were pictures of women on the boxes. https://fakehistoryhunter.net/tag/brothel-candles/

22points

#25

New York City 1975 Photo By Joel Meyerowitz

Final score:

166points

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EarthGrowl 7 months ago

I love the boots!

47points

#26

Camping In The 1960s

Final score:

163points

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Blyss Blyssylb 7 months ago

SLUG BUG GREEN! NO TAG BACKS!

6points

#27

Beech-Nut Girl In Harlem , 1940s Harlem 1940's , Beechnut Chewing Gum Girl Making A Sale

Final score:

163points

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Mandy Squanch 7 months ago

I dont understand why everyone is being so racist. To me it just looks like a lovely young lady making a sale and doing her job.

131points

#28

Travelling Hairdresser ' Stop Me ' The Entrepreneurial Spirit Was Alive And Well Back In The 1920's As This Enterprising Young Lady Demonstrates With Her Traveling Hairdresser Business

Final score:

162points

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Patricia Smith 7 months ago

Wish we had those today.

48points

#29

Budapest In 1987 ( Hungary ) Photo By Attila Manek

Final score:

160points

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Mrs Irish Mom 7 months ago

Baby looks happy 🤷

71points

#30

Parisians Navigate Flood Waters By Walking Across Rows Of Chairs, 1924 Photographer / Henri Manuel

Final score:

159points

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Mrs Irish Mom 7 months ago

Its about a foot deep in places, were wellies not invented yet.. wellies not only safer, dryer and less stupid looking

32points

#31

Cleaning Day At Church, Leipzig Germany C.1920

Final score:

155points

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Renee Kamphuys 7 months ago

"And stay out!"

173points

#32

An Iron Worker Balances Himself On A Beam 15 Floors High. Ge Building , Rockefeller Center , 1932 Photographer Charles Clyde Ebbets

Final score:

153points

POST

Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 7 months ago

Nope.

149points

#33

Hairdresser's Hot Dog , Ca. 1960 Photo By John Drysdale

Final score:

150points

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Mrs. Dearly Regret 7 months ago

The face says it all

44points

#34

Aerial View Of Over 400,000 People At Woodstock , 1969

The Woodstock Music Festival began on August 15, 1969, as half a million people waited on a dairy farm in Bethel, New York, for the three-day music festival to start. Billed as “An Aquarian Experience: 3 Days of Peace and Music,” the epic event would later be known simply as Woodstock and become synonymous with the counterculture movement of the 1960s. Woodstock was a success, but the massive concert didn’t come off without a hitch: Last-minute venue changes, bad weather and the hordes of attendees caused major headaches. Still, despite—or because of—a lot of sex, drugs, rock ‘n’ roll and rain, Woodstock was a peaceful celebration and earned its hallowed place in pop culture history

Final score:

149points

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Mrs Irish Mom 7 months ago

The most famous outdoor concert in History ✌️

51points

#35

After The War Ended In May 1945, It Took Months To Transport All Those Men And Women Home Again, And Some Didn’t Arrive Until Just Before Christmas

the guys who didn’t have a wife or girlfriend waiting for them didn’t exactly suffer – they had plenty of attention from the opposite sex!

Final score:

149points

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Heather Ball 7 months ago

cute but... lots of cooties!

20points

#36

In 1949, Bedridden French Artist Matisse Used His Apartment In The Hôtel Régina In Cimiez, To Prepare Designs For The Chapel Of Rosary In Vence , Which Was Of Similar Size

Final score:

148points

POST

BLONDTROBL 7 months ago

Dedication

32points

#37

Fair Fun 1930s Two Young Women Enjoying Themselves On The ' Caterpillar ' Ride At Southend Fair, Essex, October 1938 ... Photo By Kurt Hutton

Final score:

145points

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La Lucy 7 months ago

They look so fun and happy!

51points

#38

The Evolution Of The Female Bathing Suit From 1875 To 1927

Final score:

142points

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 7 months ago

I can see elbows and ankles! Such hussies!

89points

#39

1937 : A Mother Fastening A Notice Reading " Please Mr Motorist , Watch Out For Me ," Onto Her Son's Back Before He Sets Out On A Trial Bicycle Ride . By Hulton Archive

Final score:

141points

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Marie Clear 7 months ago

1937 version of Baby on Board sticker

59points

#40

1950s All Women's Hot Rod Club. "Dragettes" Hotrod Club Kansas City , Kansas

Final score:

140points

POST

Kimbowa 7 months ago

Sensible shoes.

34points

#41

On A Balcony In Paris , The Refresh Break With Family A Parisian Family During The Heatwave Of The Summer Of 1937

Final score:

136points

POST

Jayjay 7 months ago

Hope the balcony was able to carry the weight!

47points

#42

Couple On A Malvern Star Abreast Tandem Bicycle, New South Wales, Australia. C. 1930s Photo By Sam Hood

Final score:

135points

POST

Mrs Irish Mom 7 months ago

First time ever seen a bike like this 🤯

112points

#43

Kuba Komet 1950s

Meet Kuba Komet , the mothership of Space Age entertainment systems . This rocket-like structure includes a 23″ black and white television , eight speakers , a Telefunken phonographs and a multi-band radio receiver .
At the time of release in 1957 , The Komet cost more than a year’s average wage

Final score:

133points

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Marie Clear 7 months ago

They skipped over the reel to reel tape player/recorder. And you could listen to music for the 10 minutes it would take that tube TV to really get cranking.

42points

#44

A Man Begging For His Wife’s Forgiveness Inside Divorce Court , Chicago , 1946

Final score:

131points

POST

BlackCatWithWhiteSocks 7 months ago

I don't think she is buying it

186points

#45

In 1931 , Mary Smith Earned Six Pence A Week In East London By Shooting A Pea Into The Windows Of The Sleeping Workers. Knocker-Uppers Also Used Long Bamboo Sticks, Batons And Canes To Rouse Residents Of The Upper Floors

In 1931 , Mary Smith Earned Six Pence A Week In East London By Shooting A Pea Into The Windows Of The Sleeping Workers. Knocker-Uppers Also Used Long Bamboo Sticks, Batons And Canes To Rouse Residents Of The Upper Floors

Final score:

128points

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Bouche and Audi and Shyla, Oh My! 7 months ago

But who woke up the knocker uppers?

60points

#46

1947 Sun Valley Idaho. Photo From Apres Ski At Sun Valley Resort , Idaho 1947 . Photograph By George Silk

Final score:

110points

POST

Mrs Irish Mom 7 months ago (edited)

3 out of 4 look dead from the cold

44points

#47

Snow Fun In The Old Days - Grabbing The Rear Bumper When Sledding - Many People Had Fun!

Final score:

110points

POST

Willem Andries Oosterhof 7 months ago (edited)

Clearly a Dutch vehicle but I don't know if this picture was taken in the Netherlands. The letters HX means this car came from the province South-Holland. Seeing those house up high this could be along the coast upon the dunes. Then again maybe its someone on a winter holiday abroad but that was a pretty luxury just after the war. Edit. Found it! You can see Retaurant Seinpost. This was in the coastal town of Scheveningen near The Hague. It was a real shame the city tore this 1886 building down in 1976. The neighboring kürhaus almost met the same fate but this was prevented due to public outcry who said enough is enough.

64points

#48

Custom Limousines By Car Collector And Custom Builder Jay Ohrberg , 1990

Final score:

101points

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ShyWahine 7 months ago

With all his wealth, that's all he had to chauffeur it?

14points

#49

We Will Not Gas Ladas Until ... Soviets Withdraw When The Soviet Union Invaded Afghanistan , Some Gas Stations In Toronto Refused To Gas Ladas. 1980s

Final score:

98points

POST

sofacushionfort 7 months ago

Wasn’t driving one punishment enough?

111points

#50

People Show Off The Tattoos Given To Them During An Amateur Tattoo Artist Contest In France In 1950 . Photographer Robert Doisneau

Final score:

85points

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Marie Clear 7 months ago

The guy on the left has no less than 4 "nailed it" fail tattoos.

28points