A captivating exhibition that transports you through time with powerful visual narratives. This collection of historical photographs unveils moments of human history with unparalleled clarity, revealing the raw emotions, intricate details, and untold stories that lie within each frame. Prepare to be transported to pivotal events and eras, as renowned photographers capture history in its most vulnerable and awe-inspiring moments, leaving no aspect to the imagination.
Exhausted Marine
Private Theodore James Miller exhibits the “thousand yard stare” after returning from combat.
Two days of constant war on Eniwetok Atoll, 1944. He would return to battle and be killed one month later.
Crosby Girls
Denise Crosby seen outside her hotel with her girlfriend Candy Moore.
It's time to bring rollerskating back. It would be awesome to cruise around town on rollerskates.
No Shame
Sophia Loren, beauty and the armpit, during the late '50s.
Back then, European women weren't as obsessed with hair removal. The fad began in the 1920s in the USA and has continued to this day, but it took longer for it to spread to Europe.
Snowy Day
A lady with her horse on a snowy winter day in 1899.
An 1899 photograph shows a woman training her horse. Photo by French photographer Félix Thiollier.
The Limbo
Young women doing the Limbo Dance at a Los Angeles night club in 1964.
Traditionally, the limbo game began at the lowest possible bar height and the bar was gradually raised, signifying an emergence from death into life. In its adaptation to the world of entertainment, troupes began reversing the traditional order.
WWII Planes
The skeletal remains of an American fighter plane that crashed during the second world war.
The fighter aircraft is buried around two metres below the seabed off the coast at Harlech in north Wales. When sea and sand conditions are just right it becomes visible in the sand.
'60s Hippie
A beautiful naked woman gathering weed! Civilization has been going downhill ever since.
It's amazing how much hemp they're growing. I bet they make a lot of rope.
Tyke Elephant Outlaw
Circus International used Tyke as a female circus elephant in shows around the world in the 1990s.
Tyke finally snapped. She trampled and seriously injured her groomer, and then killed her trainer when he intervened. Tyke broke out of the arena in front of a horrified audience, injuring another person in the process, and ran through Honolulu's streets.
Guilty
An exotic dancer was arrested on the pretext that she was exposing herself.
The dancer then took the cop to court to prove that she couldn't have been as she was wearing underwear that was too big for her to do anything of the sort, thereby proving that the officer was out of line in making the arrest in the first place.
Final Salute
One final salute to the IJN Zuikaku, the last full fleet carrier of the Japanese fleet.
Somber moment for these sailors onboard but also for Japan. Zuikaku represented the last of the IJN's carrier force and the few CV(L)s that remained were out of fuel, out of pilots, and out of any fighting spirit to take up the rest of the war.
“Mermaids”
“Mermaids” at Disneyland waving to guests on a submarine ride sometime in the '60s.
I can't imagine how difficult that job must've been. They look like rubber suits!
1918 Pandemic
A group of Californians advocated face masks during the Spanish flu epidemic.
The picture was taken in California in 1918, during the second wave of the Spanish flu pandemic that killed more than 50 million people.
Vladimir Lenin
The last photo of Vladimir Lenin. At this point, he was completely mute after suffering three strokes.
Almost 100 years after his death, Vladimir Lenin's corpse has been kept fresh with frequent baths, injections, and plastic surgery.
The Great Depression
Jobless and homeless men wait for a free dinner in New York during The Great Depression.
The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that occurred in the 1930s. It was marked by high unemployment, bank failures, stock market crash, and a general decline in industrial production, leading to widespread poverty and hardship.
Moulin Rouge
Show girls backstage in the dressing room at The Moulin Rouge.
The Moulin Rouge in 1924 was a renowned Parisian cabaret known for its extravagant shows and can-can dancers. It served as a vibrant hub for artists, writers, and bohemians, captivating audiences with its fusion of music, dance, and theater.
Backstage "Alien"
Bolaji Badejo was a Nigerian actor who was selected to portray the iconic extraterrestrial creature in the 1979 science fiction film "Alien."
Standing at an impressive 7 feet 2 inches tall, Badejo wore a unique and intricate costume designed by H.R. Giger, which featured elongated limbs, a slender body, and a biomechanical aesthetic, creating a hauntingly realistic and otherworldly appearance for the alien character.
Couple's View
View from a couple as the Apollo 8 spacecraft launches.
The Apollo 8 launch took place on December 21, 1968, marking a historic milestone in space exploration. It was the first manned mission of the Apollo program to orbit the Moon.
Young Putin
Vladimir Putin poses with his parents, Vladimir Spiridonovich Putin and Maria Ivanovna Shelomova in 1985.
The KGB gives Putin more responsibility in 1985, when he is assigned to counterintelligence duties in Dresden, East Germany. There, he reportedly monitored the loyalty of Soviet diplomats.
Alligator Farm
1920s alligator farm where kids could ride and play with alligators.
One such notable alligator farm was the California Alligator Farm in Los Angeles, which opened in 1907 and remained in operation until 1953.
Astronaut Remains
The remains of the fallen astronaut Vladimir Komarov that fell from space, 1967.
Vladimir Komarov was a Soviet cosmonaut who tragically lost his life during the Soyuz 1 mission in 1967. The mission encountered multiple technical issues, and upon reentry, the spacecraft's parachute failed to deploy properly, leading to a fatal crash.
Rare JFK
Jackie and Jack in Hyannis Port, Mass., taking a break from the 1960 presidential campaign.
JFK loved the water and was an excellent swimmer and sailor. He became a hero because of his bravery at sea on the PT-109 during World War II.
Fall of Saigon
People struggle to get aboard the plane, Vietnam, Saigon, Tan Son Nhut Airport, April 1975.
During the evacuation of Saigon, an American evacuatee punches a South Vietnamese man for a place on the last airplane.
Early Amazon
This was definitely before he hit his Prime.
This was Jeff Bezos’ first office when Amazon was founded in 1994. Today, Amazon became only the second US company in history to reach $1 trillion in market capitalization.
Have a Puff
Tsar Nicholas II smoking a cigarette in 1916 with Princess Anastasia.
Tsar Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, while Princess Anastasia was his youngest daughter, whose fate was long the subject of speculation until the discovery of her remains in 2007, confirming the tragic end of the Romanov family.
Vintage Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn unwinds by the pool in St Tropez during filming of ‘Two For The Road.’
Audrey Hepburn was a beloved British actress and humanitarian. Known for her elegance, grace, and timeless beauty, she became an iconic figure in Hollywood and left a lasting legacy through her memorable performances in films such as "Breakfast at Tiffany's" and her philanthropic work with UNICEF.
Stalin's Death
“Free Borsht” was served at 1203 Restaurant in D.C. in celebration of Stalin’s death.
Ukrainian immigrants in the United States offer free borscht to celebrate Stalin's death, 1953.
1967 Boston Marathon
The 1967 Boston Marathon is notable for being the year in which Kathrine Switzer became the first woman to officially run the race as a numbered participant.
At the time, women were not allowed to officially enter the Boston Marathon, but Switzer registered using her initials, "K.V. Switzer," and managed to run the entire race.
Jewish Prisoners
Jewish prisoners at the moment of their liberation from a death train near the Elbe.
This marked a crucial moment of salvation and hope amidst the horrors of the Holocaust. It represented a significant step towards the end of Nazi persecution and provided a glimpse of liberation for those who had endured immense suffering.
Cleaning Jesus
Two cleaning ladies spray crucifix with Jesus around Leipzig, Germany.
At first glance I thought she was blowing a toddler down the stairs with a high powered hose. Jesus can't catch a break.
Nikola Tesla
Nikola Tesla in his laboratory with his "magnifying transmitter."
Nikola Tesla was a Serbian-American inventor, electrical engineer, and physicist who is best known for his contributions to the development of alternating current (AC) electrical systems. He held numerous patents and made significant advancements in the fields of electromagnetism and wireless communication, leaving a lasting impact on the modern world's power and communication systems.
"Miss Sarajevo"
"Miss Sarajevo" refers to a beauty pageant that took place in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during the '90s.
The pageant was held amidst the backdrop of the Bosnian War, which lasted from 1992 to 1995. The event aimed to bring a sense of normalcy and hope to the people of Sarajevo during a challenging time, showcasing the resilience and determination of the city's residents.
Spitalfields Nippers
A rare photograph of London street kids in 1901.
Spitalfields is a historic neighborhood located in the East End of London, England. It is known for its rich history, diverse culture, and vibrant atmosphere.
Battle of Buna
A Japanese soldier attempting to escape by sea avoids capture by exploding a grenade by his head.
The Battle of Buna was a fierce World War II conflict in Papua New Guinea where Australian forces fought against entrenched Japanese troops in a challenging jungle environment.
Showgirls
Latin Quarter nightclub showgirls playing chess between shows.
The Latin Quarter Nightclub was a renowned entertainment venue located in the heart of Manhattan, New York City. It was popular during the mid-20th century, known for its lively atmosphere, live performances by renowned artists, and vibrant Latin music and dance scenes.
“Liquidators”
“Liquidators” getting ready with lead aprons to climb onto the roof of Chernobyl reactor No. 4 after the initial explosions and fire.
Half-a-million military conscripts were ordered to work in severely radioactive areas. Ukrainian Health Minister Andrei Serdyuk estimated in 1995 that Chernobyl’s death toll was 125,000 from illnesses traced to radiation exposure.
Popeye
Royal Navy stoker nicknamed “Popeye” photographed aboard the HMS Rodney.
A colorized photograph shows Frank "Rocky" Fiegel, a real-life person who served as the inspiration for the character "Popeye."
Laundry Day
A housewife taking frozen long johns off the washing line sometime in the '40s.
In the 1940s and '50s, washing lines were a common sight in residential areas, especially in suburban or rural communities. It was a practical and cost-effective method of doing laundry during that era.
Forced to Watch
German prisoners of war are forced to watch an atrocity film on German concentration camps.
POWs were shown films or documentaries documenting the atrocities committed in German concentration camps as a way to expose them to the horrors and crimes of the Nazi regime.
Capsule Recovery
Navy frogmen deploy from a hovering helicopter to begin the recovery process of the Mercury-Atlas 9 "Faith 7" Capsule.
This historic event took place on May 16, 1963, when astronaut Gordon Cooper completed his 22-orbit mission, becoming the first American astronaut to spend more than a day in space.
Kurt & Court
Kurt Cobain and Courtney Love, a musician and actress, got married on February 24, 1992.
The private ceremony took place on a cliff overlooking Waikiki Beach in Honolulu, Hawaii. The couple had a tumultuous relationship, marked by substance abuse and personal struggles, and their marriage ended tragically with Kurt Cobain's death in April 1994.
"Mujeres Libres"
Mujeres Libres, which translates to "Free Women," was an anarchist feminist organization that existed in Spain during the Spanish Revolution and Civil War.
It was founded in 1936 by a group of anarchist women with the aim of fighting for women's liberation and gender equality within the anarchist movement and society as a whole.
The "Gadget"
The "Gadget" refers to the code name given to the first nuclear device ever detonated during the Trinity Test.
The Trinity Test was conducted on July 16, 1945, at the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, as part of the Manhattan Project. The Gadget was an implosion-type plutonium bomb, and it was hoisted atop a 100-foot tower before being detonated, resulting in the successful explosion of the first atomic bomb in history.
Exotic Beauty, 1875
This picture was taken by a Dutch photographer named Francisco van Camp and titled "Indígena de clase rica."
Chinese merchants and those of Chinese descent were usually part of Filipino high society which could be a reason she was posing for a photo.
Claude Monet
Claude Monet, the renowned French painter, is often associated with his garden as a source of inspiration for many of his famous works.
Monet's garden, located in Giverny, France, served as a personal sanctuary and artistic haven. The garden featured a wide array of flowers, water lilies, and a Japanese bridge over a pond, all of which became recurring motifs in his paintings.
Casey Drabble
Miss Drabble from London posing as an Aviatrix at the Brooklands museum in 2016.
It's been going around the internet for years claiming to be a picture of Shirley Slade, a World War Two WASP pilot. It's not.
Chernobyl Cleanup
A Chernobyl liquidator pushes a baby in a carriage who was found during the cleanup of the Chernobyl nuclear accident.
The infant had been left in an abandoned house in the village of Tatsenki. The worker found the child when he was measuring radiation levels.
Auschwitz 1944
Hungarian Jews on the Judenrampe after disembarking from transport trains at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
It was during this time that the Nazis implemented mass exterminations using gas chambers and crematoriums, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people during the Holocaust.
The Most Beautiful Suicide
Evelyn McHale was a young woman who tragically took her own life by jumping from the Empire State Building in New York City on May 1, 1947.
Her death gained attention and became widely known as "The Most Beautiful Suicide" due to a hauntingly serene photograph taken by Robert Wiles shortly after the incident.
The Blackfoot Indians
Glacier National Park as seen from Blackfoot tribesman, 1910.
Four Native American tribes on the Northwestern Plains are known as the Blackfoot Confederacy, including the North Piegan, the South Piegan, the Blood, and the Siksika.
East London 1975
London in 1975, a glimpse into a lost world by photographer David Granick.
Photographers like David Granick documented the changing landscape of East London during this period, capturing both the architectural heritage and the impact of urban redevelopment.
The Rocket Scooter
Young lady sometime in the '30s doing a burn out on a rocket scooter.
The "Rocket Scooter" was an innovative vehicle concept introduced in 1931. It was designed by Charles F. Whitney and manufactured by the Autoped Company in Long Island City, New York.
Hoisting Babies
West Berlin residents showing their children to their Eastern side grandparents.
Families and neighborhoods in Germany's capital were divided by the Berlin Wall in August 1961. The Wall was a uniquely squalid, violent, and ultimately futile episode in post-war history. Berlin's life changed overnight.
Young Anne Frank
Sanne Ledermann and Anne Frank are jumping rope in Merwedeplein, Amsterdam, 1935.
Anne Frank was a Jewish teenager whose diary, known as "The Diary of a Young Girl," has become one of the most widely read and poignant accounts of the Holocaust.
Jack of all Trades
A ‘cover letter’ during the Great Depression during the 1930s.
In today's world and economy, we would value this type of worker, and they would probably be fine working from home. Back then, this basket of physical skills was not enough to land a single job.
LEGO's Beginning
In 1932, the LEGO company developed its first wooden products.
The LEGO name comes from the Danish word Leg Godt, which means Play Well, and inspiring fun, playful learning remains the company's mission.
Approaching Chernobyl
A helicopter approaches the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant to inspect the reactor's damage.
Approximately 8.4 million people across four countries were exposed to radiation, including 600,000 "liquidators," who fought fires and cleaned up the mess.
The Jackson Brothers
The Jackson brother acrobats atop the Empire State Building, to celebrate its opening in 1934.
The brothers showcased their agility, strength, and balance as they performed their acrobatic routines at a dizzying height, capturing the attention and admiration of onlookers.
Statue of Liberty
In 1884, construction was underway on the Statue of Liberty in Paris, France.
The statue was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and its construction was a collaborative effort between Bartholdi and engineer Gustave Eiffel. The statue's copper framework was built in Eiffel's workshop, located in the outskirts of Paris, before it was disassembled and transported to the United States.
Entering the Battlefield
A Scottish piper wearing a kilt enters the battlefield during WWI.
Scottish pipers played a crucial role in boosting morale and inspiring troops on the battlefield during World War I. Despite the danger they faced, their unwavering dedication and the distinctive sound of their bagpipes became a symbol of bravery and resilience in the face of adversity.
The Ace of Spades
Mafia boss Joe Masseria lying dead on a Brooklyn restaurant floor, 1931.
Joe Masseria, also known as "Joe the Boss," was an Italian-American mobster and organized crime boss who operated in New York City during the early 20th century. Masseria's reign came to an end in 1931 when he was assassinated, an event that marked a turning point in the power dynamics within the American Mafia.
Hope & Despair
A mother shows a picture of her son to a returning POW, 1947.
A smiling prisoner of war returning home to Vienna passes a woman holding a photograph up in a mixture of hope and despair.
Wounded Combat Dog
An injured combat dog during WWII operations on the Orote Peninsula.
The Marine Corps began using dogs in war in late summer 1942. Dogs have served fighting men in various ways since ancient times.
Marilyn Monroe BTS
An inside look at the iconic Marilyn Monroe image. Filming of Seven Year Itch in NYC, 1954.
The film depicted a married man who finds himself tempted by a beautiful neighbor, played by Monroe. The most memorable scene from the film is when Monroe's character stands over a subway grate, and her white dress billows up as a train passes underneath, creating an iconic image in popular culture.
Last Public Execution
Eugène Weidmann was the last person publicly executed by guillotine on June 17, 1939.
Weidmann's execution was highly publicized, with a large crowd gathered to witness the event outside the prison of Versailles.
Itivimuit Tribe
The Itivimuit tribe's Allakariallak teaches a boy to shoot on the Ungava Peninsula, 1920s.
The Itivimuit, also known as the Netsilik or Nunavimmiut, are an indigenous Inuit people who traditionally inhabited the Canadian Arctic. They relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering for their livelihood and had a deep connection to their environment and cultural heritage.
Frida Kahlo
Frida Kahlo dressed in men's clothing.
Frida Kahlo was a renowned Mexican artist known for her powerful and introspective self-portraits. She lived from 1907 to 1954 and is celebrated for her unique style, bold use of color, and exploration of themes such as identity, pain, and feminism.
Mt. Rushmore
Photo of a worker hanging from Jefferson's eye lid on Mt. Rushmore.
Mount Rushmore, a colossal sculpture, was constructed between 1927 and 1941 in the Black Hills of South Dakota, USA.
Lepa Radić
Lepa Radić was a 17-year-old Bosnian Yugoslav partisan who was sentenced to death for fighting Nazism.
When she was offered a way out of the gallows if she revealed the names of her comrades, she declined, saying they'd reveal themselves when they came to avenge her death.
Mona Lisa's Return
During WWII the Mona Lisa was wrapped in waterproof paper, boxed up, and sent to chateaux in the French countryside.
The artwork was kept under the bed of its guardian for the next six years so someone would always be near it.
Titanic Rescue
Passengers of the Titanic are rescued by the RMS Carpathia.
On April 15, 1912, this incredible image captures Titanic passengers boarding the Carpathia.
Painting the Eiffel Tower
Men at work painting the Eiffel Tower in 1924.
It was built in just over two years and opened as part of the Paris World Fair on March 31, 1889.
"Fat Man"
"Fat Man's polar cap is sprayed with plastic spray paint outside Assembly Building Number 2.
The Fat Man atomic bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. It was stenciled with the acronym "JANCFU" - Joint Army-Navy-Civilian F*** Up.
German U-Boat Explosion
U-175, a German u-boat, was sunk by depth charges and gunfire from the USCGC Spencer in the North Atlantic on April 17, 1943.
The German U-boat U-175 was sunk during a battle with the British Royal Navy's escorts. The crew scuttled the submarine after it was damaged by depth charges, and they were subsequently taken as prisoners of war.
Bootlegger
A female bootlegger arrested by the Minneapolis police during prohibition, 1920s.
Bootleggers operated clandestine operations, smuggling alcohol from Canada, Europe, and other sources, and often resorted to organized crime to protect their activities.
Naval Ship Boxing
10-Round boxing match aboard the U.S.S. New York, July 3, 1899.
To commemorate the battle of Santiago in Cuba that took place one year earlier, the US Navy held various jovial events, such as the boxing as well as sack races and 3-legged-races aboard their armored battleship cruisers.
Hoover Dam Construction
Columns of the Hoover Dam being filled with concrete, February 1934.
The Hoover Dam, constructed between 1931 and 1935, was a major engineering project during the Great Depression. It provided hydroelectric power, flood control, and irrigation to the Southwest region, becoming an iconic symbol of American engineering and a popular tourist destination.
Hidden Hitler
Adolf Hitler attends a rally in the Munich Odeonsplatz to celebrate the declaration of war in 1914.
This event marked a significant moment in the rise of the Nazi Party and had far-reaching consequences for Germany's political landscape in the following years.
Co-Existing
One of the first photos showing a Native American with a wolf.
Unlike settlers' myths about wolves, Indians maintained a close and respectful relationship with them.
Slave Trade
Bernard Lynch's "Slave Pen" at 5th and Myrtle Streets was the epicenter of the slave trade in St. Louis.
This 1852 picture by Thomas Easterly is the only known photo of of Lynch's Slave Pen.
Contested Waters
When David Isom, 19, used a segregated public pool in 1958, officials immediately closed it.
Racism is typically portrayed as a victimizing force against black Americans. They are victims of America's long history of racial oppression.
Milkman
Milkman at work during the Blitz, London, 1940.
During the Blitz, the sustained bombing campaign by the German Luftwaffe on London during World War II, life in the city was greatly disrupted. However, amidst the chaos and destruction, essential services such as milk delivery continued to operate.
Easter Eggs for Adolf
Corporal William E. Thomas and Private First Class Joseph Jackson on Easter morning, 1945.
Two soldiers proudly show off their personalized "Easter eggs" before firing them.
White Wolf
'White Wolf' Chief John Smith is the oldest Native American to ever live.
His wrinkled appearance led to people claiming he was the oldest Native American ever. It is often claimed that he was 137 years old at the time of his death on February 6th, 1922.
School Sucks, F*** Work
The slogan t-shirt has been very significant to pop culture and subcultures around the world.
Imagine the public response to these t-shirts today.
Ojibwe Fishing
The Ojibwe were able to create a thriving trade economy and enjoyed a healthy lifestyle fueled by the area's natural resources.
Fishing, trapping, and hunting provided everything the Ojibwe people needed, plus a surplus they could trade with settlers in exchange for clothing, medicine, guns, and more.
"No Dog Biscuits Today"
The phrase "No dog biscuits today" in London 1939 is a reference to the shortages and rationing that occurred during WWII.
During the war, resources were scarce, and food rationing was implemented in many countries, including the United Kingdom.
Spring Break
Protesting against too revealing swimwear on a Florida beach, 1985.
In 1985, there was a protest against the use of revealing swimwear on a Florida beach. At that time, it was not uncommon for communities and individuals to voice their concerns or objections regarding social norms, including clothing choices.
The Flying Tailor
The flying tailor who flew himself straight to death.
Franz Reichelt, an inventor, attempted to fly using a homemade parachute suit by jumping from the Eiffel Tower in 1912. Tragically, the suit failed, resulting in his death.
Ray Therapy
A group of children holding hands around a radiating glow of ultraviolet light at the Institute of Ray Therapy, 1930.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, advancements in light technology and understanding of its effects on the human body influenced both medical treatments and artistic expressions.
Barbary Lion
The last picture of a wild Barbary Lion. Taken from an airplane en route to Dakar in 1925.
Barbary lions were known for their impressive size and majestic appearance. They had a slightly different mane compared to other lion subspecies, often displaying a fuller and darker mane that extended over the chest and shoulders.
Border Fugitive
Two border control officers attempt to keep a fugitive in the US.
This seems staged? Why would a photographer have been at just the right place at just the right time for this?
Vintage Advertising
"Let this magical mineral, Asbestos, protect the buildings on your farm."
Today, asbestos remains a significant concern globally, both in terms of the ongoing remediation of existing asbestos-containing materials and the prevention of new exposures to protect public health.