Phyllis Brown
The past has a way of drawing us in. For those of us living today, it’s intriguing to wonder what life looked like decades or even centuries ago. Fortunately, with photography, we can step back almost 200 years and glimpse those moments. While many images captured the intensity of war, others showed lighter, everyday moments that brought a little humor and joy.
A Kid’s Reaction To Meeting Andre The Giant (1970’s)
This black-and-white photograph captures a heartwarming moment from the 1970s, where a young boy is completely awestruck while meeting the legendary André the Giant. The towering figure of André stands with a friendly smile as the boy, eyes wide and mouth open in amazement, looks up at him in pure awe.
The striking contrast between the giant’s immense size and the boy’s tiny stature makes the image even more powerful, reflecting a child’s wonder at meeting someone larger than life, both literally and figuratively.
A policeman in New York City stops traffic just for a cat to carry its kittens across the street, 1925
It was a sunny summer afternoon, July 29, 1925. Harry Warnecke, a photographer for the New York News, got a phone tip that a cat trying to carry its kittens home was tying up traffic because a policeman had stopped the cars on a busy street (Centre Street) to allow it to cross. Warnecke arrived after the event was over, but he convinced the policeman and cat’s owner to allow him to recreate the scene.
Despite the policeman’s initial reluctance, the cat’s inclination to cross the street diagonally instead of in front of the cars, and furious honking motorists, Warnecke finally got his shot — after three attempts.
Father And Son Take Silly Photos, 1910s
We see a picture of a father and his young son engaging in some lighthearted and playful moments together. In the upper left image, the father gently looks at his son, who is smiling up at him. The next frame seems to show the son affectionately touching his son’s nose.
The lower two images further showcase the father and son’s interactions. In the left frame, both are laughing heartily, their faces twisted with mirth. The final image depicts the pair in a more serious pose.
A Dutch boy learning how to skate on ice with a pillow on his backside to soften his falls (The Netherlands, 1933)
The photo shows a small boy trying to learn how to ice skate. He is holding onto a wooden post for support as he stands on the ice. The boy is wearing warm clothes, and he has a pillow strapped to his back. This is to help him if he falls down while he is learning to skate. The photo was taken in the Netherlands in 1933, where ice skating was a common winter activity for children.
King George VI Bursting With “Excitement” On A Theme Park Ride – 1930s
King George VI, wearing formal attire, including a hat, coat, and shoes, had a serious expression on his face as he sat in a large tire or wheel-like structure. The setting suggests the man is on some kind of amusement park or carnival ride, though his posture and demeanor do not convey a sense of excitement or enjoyment.
Three Young Boys Sit In A Wagon In A Pittsburgh Neighborhood Street, 1920-1930
It’s not sure exactly when the photo was captured but it may have been shot in the 1920s or 1930s. The picture features the boys, two Black and one white who sit side by side with a strong sense of camaraderie and innocence. The white boy gently wraps his arm around one of his friends, showcasing their bond, while the other boy sits comfortably on the edge of the wagon. It’s a powerful image of friendship that transcends race during an era where segregation was still a harsh reality in America.
Cats Waiting For The Fisherman To Return, Istanbul, 1970s
The image depicts a group of cats sitting on a pier, gazing out towards the water that captures a moment of tranquility. The scene appears to be set in Istanbul, Turkey, during the 1970s, as indicated by the title. The cats are arranged in a row, seemingly waiting for something or someone to return.
A Mother And Her Eight Sons, All Served, All Came Home
A group of men in military uniforms gathered together with a woman in a light-colored dress. The woman turns out to be the mother of the eight men, all of whom served in the military and returned home safely. The men have various medals and decorations on their uniforms. The expressions on their faces convey a sense of pride, relief, and joy at being reunited with their mother.
