Join us on a riveting journey through time, glimpsing royal gatherings, iconic celebrities, historic events, innovative technology, cultural paradigms, and unexpected delight in every day moments from different eras.
Princess Ruth & Hapa-haole Chiefs (1872-1877)
Princess Ruth Keelikolani of Hawaii, along with hapa-haole chiefs Samuel Parker & John Adams Cummins, held important roles as kaili bearers. Their contributions significantly influenced Hawaii’s history (1872-1877).
Georgian Prince Ovalyani (1890)
Georgian man donned a national costume featuring a burka, a bell-shaped felt coat, showcasing cultural exchange between Caucasus ethnic groups and neighboring Slavic subgroups like the Kazakhs (1890).
Lada Car Owner (1984)
In 1984, amid the Soviet-Afghan war, a Lada owner in Toronto struggled to refuel his car due to anti-Soviet sentiment in the West. Canadians boycotted Lada’s parent company, AvtoVAZ, which financially supported the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
Wilhelm II Visits Krupp (1918)
Kaiser Wilhelm II, desperate for support in late WWI, conversed with Krupp factory workers in Essen to showcase empathy and boost morale amidst critical war-related production for Germany’s weapons manufacturer.
Bobby Darin Dream Car (1961)
Singer Bobby Darin stands beside a hand-made automobile called the “Bobby Darin Dream Car,” in Hollywood, California. Owner Andrew Di Dia, who designed and built the $150,000 car, will take it on a nationwide tour. March 31, 1961
Bing Crosby & The Bear (1947)
In 1947, Bing Crosby, an avid golfer and Jasper Park Lodge enthusiast, humorously posed playing golf with a taxidermied bear during the Totem Pole Tournament, which he won. This quirky historical moment is commemorated with the Crosby Cabin.
Audie Murphy (1948)
Audie Murphy, the most decorated WWII soldier, singlehandedly held off enemy troops, saving his squad. Awarded 33 medals, including the Medal of Honor, his bravery inspired the film “To Hell and Back,” where he portrayed himself.
Muhammad Ali & Malcolm X (1964)
In 1964, after defeating Sonny Liston for the heavyweight title, a triumphant Muhammad Ali posed at a Miami soda fountain for Malcolm X, celebrating their friendship and Ali’s public embrace of the Nation of Islam.
Alligator Rider (1930s)
A daring woman rode an alligator in LA’s Memorial Coliseum promoting a 1931 football game between the University of Florida and USC. This stunt represented Florida’s mascot and the era’s affinity for spectacle.
James Dean NYC (1955)
Iconic image of James Dean walking in the rain in NYC, showcasing his brooding persona and epitomizing the enigmatic charm of the “Rebel Without a Cause” actor (1955).
All Night and Day Bank Run (1910)
In April 1910, a rumor of insolvency triggered a bank run at All Night and Day Bank in Los Angeles. Panic ensued as customers frantically withdrew funds, forcing the bank to close its doors, demonstrating the power of public perception.
Lincoln Memorial – Snow Sledding (1935)
On Feb 9, 1935, children transformed the snowy steps of the Lincoln Memorial into a sledding hill, a unique activity demonstrating the monument’s deep connection with American citizens.
Robert Preston’s $30 Car (1939)
In 1939, 16-year-old Robert Preston built a 250-pound midget automobile, or “jalopy,” for just $30. Using a 3-4 horsepower washing machine motor, the homemade vehicle reached speeds of 20 mph.
Senate Subway 1915
Early Senate subway car transported passengers between the Capitol and Senate office building, playing a vital role in US government function and notably easing communication between the two locations (ca. 1915).
Monroe Korea USO (1954)
Marilyn Monroe, an iconic Hollywood actress, visited troops in Korea during her 1954 USO tour. A captivating photo captured her posing by an H-19 helicopter, embodying glamour and symbolizing American pop culture for soldiers overseas.
Straw Hat Radio (1931)
In 1931, an American inventor combined fashion and technology by integrating a portable radio into a straw hat, democratizing the listening experience and revolutionizing the way people enjoyed music outdoors – a precursor to modern wearable tech.
Chicago Vertical Parking Lot (1936)
In 1936, the Westinghouse Electric and Manufacturing Company constructed a freestanding 48-car elevator parking garage in the business district of Downtown Chicago. The earliest such parking systems in the US appeared in L.A., New York, and Chicago in the 1920s.
Early TV Technology (1959)
In 1959, New York witnessed experimentation with early television technology, advancing the broadcast industry by overcoming limitations in image clarity and transmission range, paving the way for modern, globally-connected television viewership.
Bertha Benz – Long-distance Drive (1888)
In 1888, Bertha Benz courageously embarked on the first long-distance automobile drive (66 mi), showcasing the capabilities of the Benz Patent-Motorwagen. Her resourcefulness and determination bolstered public interest, driving global publicity and sales for Mercedes-Benz.
Depression Apples (1930s)
During the Great Depression in the United States in 1930, women engaged in the resilient act of selling apples as a means of survival. Despite the economic hardships and widespread poverty, these women took to the streets to offer a simple yet symbolic commodity (1930s).
